The British capital remains a popular backdrop for Indian films, but now smaller towns are competing for business from Bollywood.

"Raakh", a new film starring Sohail Khan, Isha Koppikar and Mithun Chakravarty, is currently being shot in Asian-dominated Leicester in the East Midlands. The director is Hansal Mehta.

Described as a "sophisticated gangster movie", the film is being shot on the campus of the University of Leicester, which was also the venue of the very first film to be shot in the East Midlands, "Is Pyar Ko Kya Naam Doon" starring John Abraham and Akanksha Malhotra.

The organizer and promoter, Dipesh Majithia of Siddhi Entertainments & Productions (UK), said over 50 percent of "Raakh" would be shot in Leicester over a period of two-and-a-half weeks.

Majithia said: "Most of the second half of the film is being shot in Leicester. The director is delighted with the city and county.

"Bollywood fans are tired of seeing the familiar sites of Marble Arch and Trafalgar Square. Leicester's Clock Tower is what they haven't seen before."

The University of Leicester's sylvan Botanic Garden will provide the idyllic setting for some of the scenes of the film. The garden also houses examples of the University's international sculpture exhibition.

University spokesperson Ather Mirza said: "The University of Leicester is pleased to be playing host again to a Bollywood movie. India is the biggest film producer in the world. The potential to reach out to global audience and showcase the University is huge."