FFWRNES theatre in Llanelli is to host the red carpet premiere of a new Bollywood film that was partly shot in the town’s rugby stadium.

Bollywood Hollywood Production has chosen Carmarthenshire for the first Welsh screening of its new film Jungle Cry, based on the inspiring true story of 12 underprivileged and orphan children from Kalinga Institute in India’s Odisha region, following their triumphant journey to the International Junior Rugby Tournament held in the UK in 2007.

The rugby scenes were filmed in Wales, including at Llanelli’s Parc y Scarlets where the film’s match final was shot.

It features cameos by some of the sport’s top names, including international referee Nigel Owens, and Scarlets, Wales and British Lions fly half Phil Bennett - both from Carmarthenshire.

Carmarthenshire County Council, University of Wales Trinity St David and the Scarlets have joined the project as brand partners, and the council is hosting the exclusive invitation-only premiere at Y Ffwrnes on March 10 ahead of the film’s release to cinemas worldwide in April.

Executive Board Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths, said: “It’s an honour to host the Welsh premiere of Jungle Cry at Y Ffwrnes. We have been delighted to support the making of this film, which is based on a remarkable true story.

“We have worked hard to grow Carmarthenshire as a location for film and television productions because of the huge economic benefits it brings to the area, as we have seen with the likes of BBC drama Keeping Faith which has brought so much interest to Laugharne and Carmarthen.

“It is fantastic to see Llanelli taking pride of place on the silver screen as part of Jungle Cry. The Bollywood industry is massive and there will be a huge amount of interest in this film, which we hope will put Carmarthenshire on an even bigger international map.”

Jungle Cry tells the incredible true story of the 12 underprivileged children who came from one of India’s most tribal areas, playing sports bare foot, who went on to win to the prestigious U14 Rugby World Cup in England, making Indian and British history.

It was produced by veteran Mumbai and Hollywood producer Prashant Shah, who has also produced the likes of My Name is Khan, and The Bruce Lee Project.

He said: “Jungle Cry is truly an inspiring film that promotes education, sports and helps eradicate poverty and create patriotism for every nation and we are very excited to release it to a global audience of cinemagoers in April.”