THIS was the moment when the colourful spectacle of an all-singing, all-dancing Bollywood production came to an historic corner of York.

The Indian film industry produces hundreds of films a year and is challenging Hollywood for the title of the world's biggest cinematic business.

Until recently, whenever a Bollywood crew filmed on location in the UK they tended to stay "down south".

But innovative actor and director Kashif Khan is trying to change that by filming in a number of northern locations.

He is currently working on This Life Is Yours, This Heart Is Yours, the first Bollywood movie to be filmed entirely in Britain, with an all-British Asian cast.

And yesterday Kashif, his glamorous female lead Heena Tas, and a 20-strong crew braved York's cold autumnal weather to work on the movie.

Khasif, 32, said: "The north is a beautiful place and we want more Bollywood producers and directors to come here, we want more of them to know about it.

"If and when they do then it is good for the north and it is good for Bollywood."

Associate director Verma Manoher said: "York is historic and unique. It is perfect for our needs with this film."

Shoppers and tourists stood transfixed in Minster Yard as Heena, 19, risked frostbite to dance her way through one of the one of the film's pivotal scenes.

Kashif explained: "Her character had thought her love was dead but she has just found out he is alive. It is a joyful scene." Passer-by Andy Turnbull, of Tadcaster said: "I've never seen Bollywood before but it looks interesting, I'll keep an eye out for the film."

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said: "Whenever York gets positive publicity, particularly through films, the knock-on effect is phenomenal.

"We have always said York is a fantastic location. It can be a bit of a challenge for directors, because of the layout of some of the streets, but usually the producers we have worked with have been extremely positive about what they have come up with."

Kashif and the crew were filming in Minster Yard again today. The film is expected to be released on St Valentine's Day next year.

Updated: 10:54 Tuesday, October 15, 2002