Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; May 6, 2019)

After several months of speculations, last week it was confirmed that Godrej Properties has bought R K Studios from the Kapoors. As per plans, a business-cum-residential complex will be built on the land that housed the iconic film studio. It was an emotional, but practical call for the Kapoors, who were struggling to maintain it, especially after a considerable part of the studio was gutted in a fire in September 2017.

The R K Studios, which saw a host of landmark films and shows being shot in its premises, was also the venue for the Kapoors’ annual Ganeshotsav celebrations. Years ago, the family also hosted their legendary Holi parties at the studio.

While talking to Bombay Times on Saturday, Randhir Kapoor had said that he hoped that the new owners would respect the legacy of the land that they have acquired. Now, the Indian Film and Directors’ Association (IFTDA) has expressed similar views. They have written to Adi Godrej requesting him to build a museum on the land, and dedicate it to Raj Kapoor to keep his legacy alive.

In the letter, the association states, “We extend our heartiest congratulations to you for acquiring the iconic RK Studios. The devastating fire in September 2017 gutted the studio, which had been built 70 years ago by the legendary Raj Kapoor. The Showman’s name spells magic and reminds one of the cinematic masterpieces crafted by him… Raj Kapoor was an institution in himself, an inspiration to budding directors, a guide to media students, and a connoisseur of music. His legacy has to be protected for the future generations… It’s our humble appeal to you on behalf of the film industry and the IFTDA to spare some area from the 33,000 sq meters, for a Raj Kapoor museum, which will refresh the memories of the filmmaker and actor for the next generations. We request you to pay this tribute to the unsurpassable genius and give a solemn thought to our appeal.”

Ashoke Pandit, president of the association, explains, “We felt that as an association it is important for us to do our best to protect and save the identity of great masters like Raj Kapoor. One feels sad when you see towers and malls built on studio lands in the city. Many studios are being sold to builders for various reasons. These were built by great masters of cinema, whose vision was to keep the craft alive. Hence, they had built these studios, which became our identity. These were places of worship for the film industry. We conveyed our request to Adi Godrej because we know that apart from being an industrialist, he also respects art and culture. We hope that he will consider our request.”
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OTHER STUDIOS THAT ARE A PART OF BOLLYWOOD HISTORY, WHICH HAVE DOWNED THEIR SHUTTERS

Apart from R K Studios in the Central suburbs, films were once shot at Famous Studios at Mahalaxmi, and Ranjit Studios, Shree Sound Studios and Roop Tara Studios at Dadar. The location was convenient as a lot of actors used to live in South Mumbai (between Marine Drive and a few kilometres to the North). Another prominent studio in Central Mumbai was V Shantaram’s Rajkamal Kala Mandir in Parel, which was built in 1942.

As the action moved to North Mumbai, the demand for shooting floors in Central and South Mumbai dipped. Some of the studios in these areas are striving hard to stay alive, while others have shut shop. Filmmaker Mehboob Khan did not want to establish his studio in the Northern suburbs where one had many options like Natraj, Swati, Mohan, Essel, Kamalistan, Chandivali, Filmalaya and Filmistan. He zeroed in on a plot in Bandra, a suburb dominated by schools, churches and parishes in 1954. Mehboob Studios, spread over more than four acres of prime land, went on to become a landmark and continues to remain one. The property has survived the builder lobby because it belongs to a trust.

Natraj Studios in Andheri, which was once bustling with action, was sold off to a builder. Another popular location, just a few hundred meters across the Western Express Highway in Andheri was Mohan Studios, which was gutted in a fire.