Mumbai’s iconic ‘Filmistan’ Studios goes for redevelopment

Mumbai’s iconic ‘Filmistan’ Studios goes for redevelopment

Filmistan Studios is credited as one of Mumbai’s oldest and most iconic film studios. Now has come to light that officially the studio has been. sold to Arkade Developers for whopping Rs 183 crore. It’s learned that the transaction was registered on July 3, marking the end of an era for a studio that helped shape the golden age of Hindi cinema.

Once a base for actors, technicians, and production houses, the Goregaon West property is now set to be redeveloped into ultra-luxury residential towers.

The studio founded in 1943 by Sasadhar Mukherjee, grandfather to Kajol and Rani Mukerji, along with actor Ashok Kumar, Gyan Mukherjee, and Rai Bahadur Chunilal, Filmistan Studios emerged from a split with Bombay Talkies and quickly emerged as a cornerstone of Hindi filmmaking. Back in the day, studios like Filmistan weren’t just shooting spaces, they were full-fledged production houses employing actors and crew on monthly salaries.

This new development doesn’t seem to have gone down well with All India Cine Worker’s association. The President and a filmmaker Ashoke Pandit has AICWA urged the Maha CM Devendra Fadnavis to intervene and to halt
the demolition and protect what they call a “symbol of cinematic legacy.” The association has called for a Government Resolution (G.R.) to preserve the studio as a public cultural asset.

News Edit KV Raman