MUMBAI: Maharashtra’s entertainment landscape is getting a new script, one that will see Mumbai’s Film City in Goregaon get a massive upgrade, a new film city in Malad and two new dream factories, one each in Nashik and Nagpur district.
Uttar Pradesh is developing a large film city in Noida on 120 acres, while neighbouring Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are also promoting their film sectors. “As Film City enters its 50th year, the objective is to build on its legacy while preparing it for the next 25-50 years. Spread across 47-acres, it was founded by the late art director Nitin Desai in Karjat but, after his death, was taken over by the state government in 2024.
Government officials involved with the mega-plan said the Maharashtra government realised it would have to offer filmmakers much more due to competition from other states. Other regions, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, are introducing film policies and incentives to attract production houses. Some states are also offering tax benefits and production-related concessions. “The new film city is proposed through an agreement between Film City, the state government and the I&B ministry. On the outskirts of Mumbai is ND Studios, a film and television production hub once known for its grand sets and where portions of mega-productions such as Jodhaa Akbar and Bajirao Mastani were shot. The studio is set for an overhaul under the government’s new plan. A Detailed Project Report is being prepared, after which an EOI will be floated. It is envisioned as one of the specialised facilities supporting large film studios in Mumbai. “At the regional level, we are also looking at strengthening the film ecosystem in Nashik and Nagpur, including the development of appropriate production, training, post-production and allied facilities based on local potential and industry demand.
The vision is to make Maharashtra not only the traditional home of Indian cinema, but also a future-ready global hub for the entire media and entertainment industry, contributing to investment, employment, innovation and the broader vision of Viksit Maharashtra,” said Swati Mhase-Patil, managing director, MFSCDCL. The government has envisaged modern studios, hospitality infrastructure, tourism projects and will also explore partnerships with leading foreign entities for production and training,” said an MFSCDCL official. “The film city will be called Kalidas Chitranagari and we expect it to attract filmmakers not only from Mumbai but also from neighbouring states like Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh,” a government official said. Officials said the Nashik facility could focus on newer technologies such as virtual production, AI-assisted filmmaking, animation and other digital technologies, while also catering to smaller filmmakers and regional productions. The objective is to create a Pan-Maharashtra film ecosystem, enabling filmmakers to access infrastructure across different geographies while generating employment and economic opportunities locally,” said Mhase-Patil.
