The iconic RK studios created by legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor was grounded today. The children of Raj Kapoor decided to sell off the property after the studio caught fire on the sets of a reality show in 2017 and the renovation cost was economically not viable. They also decided to sell off the property as most of the shooting takes place in Goregaon instead of Chembur making the upkeep of the studio a huge loss. In August 2018, it was reported that Godrej officially has bought the property that is spread across 2.2 acres and was planning to make it a luxury residential complex and retail space.
The demolition of the property has reportedly begun after almost a year of it being sold off, leaving the entire film fraternity extremely emotional and heartbroken. Several celebrities like Nikkhil Advani, Richa Chadha, film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi, Deepak Dobriyal took to social media to express their grief at the demolition of the iconic studio. Check out their tweets below:
No personal stake in this but am feeling so heartbroken ... Iconic studio! Wish the govt took steps to retain this, save it for future generations... The films made at studio contributed greatly to Hindi cinema... #RKStudio https://t.co/tnOs1cCRoR
— TheRichaChadha (@RichaChadha) August 8, 2019
A bit heartbroken, but as the showman said, the show must go on... #RajKapoor saab’s legacy is far greater than just the #RKStudio... https://t.co/Kl0qnpcxbf
— Akshaye Rathi (@akshayerathi) August 8, 2019
Ye rashtriya dharohar hai. Isko sambhaal kar rakhna chahiye tha. https://t.co/WcLPbmZ9gL
— Deepak Dobriyal (@deepakdobriyal) August 7, 2019
— Nikkhil Advani (@nikkhiladvani) August 8, 2019
Several film buffs also expressed their sadness on the demolition of the studio. Check out their tweets below:
Coming from Chembur, #RKStudio has been a part of my entire life. It sad to hear of it’s demolition today. I remember watching a movie premier in the studio in my childhood @chintskap wish something was done to save it .!
— Sanesh Tuteja (@saneshtuteja) August 8, 2019
This won't just be shutting the gates of #RKStudio but curtains down on a huge chapter of Hindi cinema. But ques is, why don't we have a way with funds and all to save such legacies?
Recently 30,000+ film reels were 'lost or destroyed' at our National Films Archives. Such a loss! https://t.co/BUJVp065qu— Mimansa Shekhar (@mimansashekhar) August 8, 2019
It’s a sad day , real estate slowing tearing away at structures that defined cinema and its history ... #RKSTUDIO https://t.co/ew53F5f8hi
— samar khan (@samarmumbaikhan) August 8, 2019
This should be turned into a national heritage building. Imagine so@many memories linked with this famous studio. #RKStudio
— sunil varma (@varmasunil) August 8, 2019
In any other country, RK Studio would have been preserved and celebrated. We claim to love films but there's not a peep when an iconic studio like this is torn down to make way for apartment buildings. It's such a shame https://t.co/xgAvxGKogO
— YellowGlassDragon (@karishmau) August 8, 2019
It’s so strange that despite so many of us having no personal stake in #RKStudio , its demolition seems like a personal loss. Maybe more for movie mad-hatters like me that’ve watched all the iconic movies of the 50s-70s. And have admired the many artists from a forgotten era .
— Nupur Desai (@Nupurddesai) August 8, 2019
The eldest son of Raj Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor had said at the time when RK Studios was changing hands, “We sold the property about six-seven months ago. It was a decision that we had taken and it was only a matter of time before we would execute things. It was becoming difficult to manage it, although we did everything for its upkeep. My father believed in moving on with time. He always said that the show must go on, come what may. That is exactly what we did when it came to RK Studios. We all have an emotional attachment with what our father had built for us, but this was the need of the hour."
An era has surely ended today with the demolition of RK Studios.
(Source: Twitter)
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