End of an Era, RK Studios to be Sold Off

RBN Web Desk: It’s the end of an era. Mumbai’s iconic RK Studios, once counted among the most prominent film shooting destinations in the city, is all set to wind up operations. Owned by the Kapoor family, the studio was founded by legendary actor-director and producer Raj Kapoor.

Raj’s youngest son, actor Rishi Kapoor, told the media today that it was a collective decision of the entire family to sell off the property. The studio was gutted in a fire in September 2017 that caused irreplaceable damage to many costumes and memorabilia of RK Films. Renovation efforts were largely unsuccessful and RK Studios have been running at a loss since the incident. The investment in renovating the studio, Rishi said, didn’t yield sufficient revenues to keep things running.

Srijit’s Film Inspired from India’s Biggest Cover Up

RK Studios had become a white elephant for the Kapoor family. Bookings were few and far between. Shooting teams of TV serials and commercials demanded free parking, air-conditioning and other discounts.

Rishi admitted that it was an emotional decision for them to sell off the studio. But they looked at the larger picture, and took the call accordingly, he added.

Malancha Cinema Follows Elite, Downs Shutters

RK Studios was the shooting venue for films like Jis Desh Me Ganga Behti Hain (1960), Mera Naam Joker (1970), Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978), Prem Rog (1982), and others. Bobby (1973), Rishi’s first film in a major role, was shot at RK Studios. Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985), the last film to be directed by Raj Kapoor, was shot there before his death in June 1988.

Bombaiyer Bombete (2003), the film that returned author-filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s iconic fictional detective Prodosh Mitter aka Feluda on the big screen after nearly quarter of a century, was shot in RK Studios. It was directed by Sandip Ray.