Raj Kapoor in a still from Awara. He founded RK studio in 1948. (Image courtesy: YouTube)
Highlights
- Several celebs have shot for their films at the RK Studio
- "It's up to the family to take the decision," said Arjun Rampal
- However, Mukesh Bhatt said change is a part of life
RK Studio, established by Raj Kapoor in 1948, has a special place in the hearts of several Bollywoodwallahs, who have worked on the premises at one point in their lives. After a fire gutted the main studio and valuable memorabilia from Raj Kapoor's films last year, the Kapoor family announced that they are selling the sprawling studio spread over 2 acres in the Chembur area, as it was going in losses. Celebrities such as Arjun Rampal, Annu Kapoor, Sachin Pilgaonkar and Mukesh Bhatt recollected their fond memories of the iconic studio and told news agency ANI that the sale of the studio is 'heartbreaking.'
Arjun Rampal, who will be next seen in JP Dutta's Paltan, told ANI that he was lucky to have shot there multiple times. "It's up to the family to take the decision. It was an iconic studio, it still is, and I hope it remains," he was quoted as saying. Actor Annu Kapoor told ANI he made "two important films (of his career) there" and added, "It's very heartbreaking since it's an iconic place."
Actor Sachin Pilgaonkar added: "I am sure there must have been some reason why they have decided to take this step. I cannot say if the decision is right or not since I am not at their position. I would just like to say that the places and studios with which numerous memories are attached should not be touched."
Last week, Randhir Kapoor, the eldest of Raj Kapoor's five children, confirmed that the family has unanimously decided to sell the property and told news agency PTI: "Yes we have taken the decision to sell RK Studio. It is already up for sale. After the fire that broke at the studio it was not viable to build the studio again... It was not economically viable to do it again."
Speaking to ANI, producer Mukesh Bhatt welcomed the family's decision and said: "Change is a part of life. We should welcome it. Let the old go, let the new come."
In its last days, RK Studio was rented out for filming television shows and commercials.
RK Studio came into existence along with Raj Kapoor's production banner RK Films and the first film made under the name was Aag (1948), which tanked at the box office while Barsat which released in 1949 out the company on track. The poster of Barsat also inspired the studio's iconic logo.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)