YORK is providing the the backdrop to a new Bollywood action movie - with a dramatic motorbike scene being filmed by the river Ouse today.

A crew started filming Commando 3 outside the Lowther in Kings Staith this morning with a scene involving motorbike stunts and a chase beside the river.

The film, which has been described as being a Bollywood version of the Bourne Trilogy, will see motorbike stunts filmed in locations including Chapter House Street, College Street, North Street, Ogleforth, South Esplanade, The Shambles and Wellington Row, with temporary road closure notices in action until Friday evening.

The executive producer said they had chosen York over locations in London and Norfolk as it provided a distinctive backdrop.

Adi Sharmaa said: “The city has a lot of character. It provides a lot of quality locations for celluloid.

“The best part of York is that it’s historic... it’s beautiful.”

In the Kings Staith scene the villain is spotted riding a motorbike outside the Lowther by the main character, who is played by Vidyut Jammwal.

He takes to a motorbike to chase the villain up the steps of Ouse bridge.

The riverside area was sealed off by a security team with an ambulance crew watching on.

A florist’s stall and another selling oil paintings were set up for the bikes to race past.

The latest film follows Commando: A One Man Army and Commando: The Black Money Trail.

The film is directed by Aditya Datt.

Jamwal’s character is a commando with the Indian Army who is involved in extensive fight and stunt scenes. The actor is known for his martial arts skills.

City of York Council has said traffic restrictions are in place because of the “likelihood of danger arising on the occasion of nearby filming”.

The film is reported to have a planned release date of 2019.