Bollywood Comes Calling As Mumbai's Film City Throws Open Its Gates For Tourists

The 33-year-old Film City, also called Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari, spread over 520 acres with 16 air-conditioned studios and other facilities, is set for a makeover. The Maharashtra government has decided to equip it with state-of-the-art facilities and also make it a tourist spot just like the Ramoji Rao Filmcity in Hyderabad.Tourists will be allowed onto actual film sets and be able to see shoots in progress.

"There are some development plans that we have just started working on. It's an ongoing process and will take some time before it gets implemented. We will first set a committee that will wholly work on the master plan," the Film City public relations officer, said. "In 15-20 days most decisions will be made," he added.

The Film City, in the northern suburb of Goregaon, was built by Maharashtra government's department of cultural affairs and was inaugurated Sep 26, 1977. Initially, it was called Maharashtra Film Stage and Cultural Development Corporation and in 2001 was renamed the Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari, but people prefer it calling Film city.

It will complete 34 years his month. Ever since the structure has come up, every second film is shot here, said an official from the Film City adding, "Among the recent ones are 'Bodyguard', 'Ready' and 'Devdas'. (TV show) Kaun Banega Crorepati is also being shot here," he added. Vidya Balan's upcoming "Dirty Picture", as also "Burning Train" and "Shola aur Shabnam" were also shot at Film City.