TriColon Media | July 6, 2025
Mumbai —In a landmark real estate transaction that signals the end of an era, Mumbai’s iconic Filmistan Studios has been sold to Arkade Developers for ₹183 crore. The sale was officially registered on July 3, raising concerns among cinephiles, industry veterans, and labor associations over the fate of one of Hindi cinema’s most storied institutions.
Located in Goregaon West, Filmistan was established in 1943 by legendary filmmakers Sasadhar Mukherjee, actor Ashok Kumar, Gyan Mukherjee, and Rai Bahadur Chunilal. Born from a split with Bombay Talkies, the studio quickly rose to prominence, becoming a cornerstone of the golden age of Hindi cinema. For decades, its soundstages were abuzz with actors, directors, and technicians crafting some of the most beloved films in Indian history.
The new owners, Arkade Developers, plan to redevelop the site into a high-end residential complex featuring ultra-luxury towers, marking a dramatic shift in the property’s legacy. This transition, however, has sparked widespread concern within the film community.
In response to the sale, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has issued an open letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, pleading for governmental intervention to halt the studio’s demolition. The association is urging the state to pass a Government Resolution (G.R.) to preserve Filmistan as a public cultural asset.
The AICWA warned that the loss of Filmistan, along with other heritage studios reportedly at risk, could have a devastating impact on employment opportunities for thousands of daily wage workers and technicians who rely on the studio ecosystem for their livelihoods.
While Arkade Developers have not publicly commented on the association’s appeal, industry insiders note that the sale underscores a larger trend of commercial development encroaching on Mumbai’s historic creative spaces.
As the city continues to evolve, the battle between preservation and progress intensifies—raising the question: What price are we willing to pay for Mumbai’s cinematic past?