Latest news with #SasadharMukherjee
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Filmistan Studio: Bollywood giants walked the floors of Mumbai's iconic glory
MUMBAI: It was let to decay – rust adding up on its doors and railings, ceiling fans and iron cupboards. Land prices in Goregaon West have skyrocketed since 1943 when the sprawling Filmistan Studio, with seven shooting floors came up, where once the Sharda Movietone studio stood. History aggregating with its 'parental' Bombay Talkies, geographically separated by less than three kilometers. After the co-founder Himanshu Rai died in 1940, the emotional and intellectual proximity between Devika Rani, his wife, and producer Sasadhar Mukherjee widened. In 1943, Mukherjee left Bombay Talkies along with the production controller Rai Bahadur Chunilal (music composer Madan Mohan's father), director Gyan Mukherjee and actor Ashok Kumar to set up a new banner -- Filmistan, on April 28, 1943. Just a year before, Mahatma Gandhi had given the Quit India call to the British, and WW-II was at its peak. In those times of turmoil, Bombay Talkies had produced a historic block-buster 'Kismet' directed by Gyan Mukherjee. Filmistan studio.(HT) At Filmistan, Gyan Mukherjee, opened his innings with 'Chal chal re nau jawan' (1944), starring Ashok Kumar and Naseem Banu (Saira Banu's mother), and written by Sadaat Hasan Manto. Yesterday, standing outside Filmistan Studio with its gates closed, as it has been sold to a real estate developer, a memory gripped my mind – that of Guru Dutt, who considered Gyan Mukherjee his mentor. Yet another memory that struck me was that of Ritwik Ghatak, a giant of a Bengali filmmaker, who had joined Filmistan for a few months during the 1950s as story and screenplay writer. During that time, he had written his celebrated letter to the boss Sasadhar Mukherjee about introducing more experimental dynamism to the films produced by Filmistan. Ghatak then joined the Film Institute of India (later Film & Television Institute of India), Pune, as vice principal. I have visited this film studio several times before and remember a permanent set of a village with a Dattatray temple, a circular well, old houses, a sets-making workshop, etc. The temple has been shown in many Bollywood films. Filmistan Studio was set up in 1943. It rode the crest for decades, following which it gradually began to lose its sheen. MANOJ PATIL/ HINDUSTAN TIMES(HT) After the production controller Rai Bahadur Chunilal passed away in 1951, the studio lost its regular din of shooting, when its new owner Tolaram Jalan took over the financial reins. It was rumoured he wanted to sell off the property way back in 2011. Mukherjee gradually lost interest in Filmistan and eventually separated from it in 1958 to set up his new banner – Filmalaya at Amboli, Andheri West. By then Filmistan had already produced some successful films including 'Samadhi' (1950) about Subhash Chandra Bose and his Azad Hind Fauj. Its marching song composed and sung by C Ramchandran, 'Kadam badhaye ja' still rents the skies on India's Independence Day. Memorable films Filmistan gave several other memorable films such as 'Anarkali' (1953) and 'Nagin' (1954) both directed by Nandlal Jaswantlal. But soon a new Bollywood hero was to emerge from the Filmistan stable -- Shammi Kapoor, the industry's early stylish playboy and dancer. With the film 'Tumsa Nahin Dekha' (1957) Kapoor became a darling of the Indian youth. Its songs such as 'Yun to hamne lakh hasin dekhen hai, tumsa nahin dekha', composed by O P Nayyar, took them to a new high. The Filmistan stable had such eminent directors as P L Santoshi, Nandlal Jaswantlal, Subodh Mukherjee, Kishore Sahu, Ramesh Sehgal, Nasir Hussain and Najam Naqvi and of course the co-founder Gyan Mukherjee, who introduced his brand of filmmaking, which was commonly known as the Gyan Mukherjee school. Sasadhar Mukherjee(HT archive) The Filmistan stars were Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar, Shammi Kapoor, Nalini Jaywant, Kamini Kaushal and others. In the Filmistan film 'Shabnam' (1949), the pair of Dilip Kumar and Kamini Kaushal was established. And with that film, the music composer S D Burman had also become well known. Other leading music composers belonging to Filmistan were C Ramchandra (Ramchandra Narahar Chittalkar), O P Nayyar, Anil Biswas and others. In 'Nagin', Hemant Kumar, emerged a household name as a music composer. Gyan Mukherjee(HT archive) Filmistan's 'Shehnai' was initially released on August 15, 1947. Written and directed by P L Santoshi and songs (penned by Santoshi) composed by C Ramchandra became big a hit across the country. One of its songs, 'Aana meri jaan Sunday ke Sunday' had taken the newly independent nation by storm. I have a personal anecdote to share from the film which created a newer musical environment. A nallah closer to the place where I live in Kandivli West, was once the pristine River Poinsur. Some residents in Kandivli village told me that many scenes and songs of films were shot in this river, as both Bombay Talkies and Filmistan were in the neighbourhood -- Malad and Goregaon, respectively. In my research, an old man remembered the words 'Chhaiya', not from Mani Ratnam's 'Dil Se' but Filmistan's 'Shehnai'. I eventually managed to track down a worn-out CD of the film and there was 'Chhuk chhuk chhaiya chhaiya…' It was river Poinsur. Memories of Filmistan Studio cannot be erased ever. (Amrit Gangar is a film scholar, curator and researcher.)
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Filmistan Studios sold for Rs 183 crore, AICWA urges Devendra Fadnavis to stop redevelopment into luxury towers: 'Save the livelihoods of lakhs of workers'
Filmistan Studios, one of Mumbai's oldest and most iconic film studios, has been officially sold to Arkade Developers for Rs 183 crore. The transaction was registered on July 3, marking the end of an era for a studio that helped shape the golden age of Hindi cinema. Once a thriving base for actors, technicians, and production houses, the Goregaon West property is now set to be redeveloped into ultra-luxury residential towers. Founded in 1943 by Sasadhar Mukherjee, grandfather to Kajol and Rani Mukerji , along with actor Ashok Kumar, Gyan Mukherjee, and Rai Bahadur Chunilal, Filmistan Studios emerged from a split with Bombay Talkies and quickly became a cornerstone of Hindi filmmaking. Back in the day, studios like Filmistan weren't just shooting spaces, they were full-fledged production houses employing actors and crew on monthly salaries. AICWA urges Devendra Fadnavis to intervene In the wake of the acquisition, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has written an open letter to Maharashtra's CM Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to halt the demolition and protect what they call a 'symbol of cinematic legacy.' The association has called for a Government Resolution (G.R.) to preserve the studio as a public cultural asset. 'Filmistan Studio... by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dommershausen: Gutes Hören sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung Gutes Hören Undo has been a workplace for lakhs of technicians, artists, junior artists, and workers… It is not just a physical structure; it is a symbol of cinematic legacy and the sweat and hard work of the working class behind the camera,' the AICWA letter read. Dharmesh Yelande Spotted At Filmistan Studio The association further warned that the loss of Filmistan, and other heritage studios at risk, would severely impact employment opportunities for daily wage workers, technicians, and artists who form the backbone of the entertainment industry. 'This is not just a fight to save land—it is a fight to protect dignity, heritage, and the livelihood of the backbone of our industry. Filmistan Studio was built with the blood, sweat, and dedication of workers... Unfortunately, the current owners have chosen profit over people.' Filmistan Studios to be turned into luxury towers Following the acquisition, Arkade Developers announced plans to redevelop the four-acre SV Road plot into a high-end residential project. The project will reportedly feature 3, 4, and 5 BHK residences and exclusive penthouses across two 50-storey towers. With a projected gross development value of Rs 3,000 crore, the project is slated for a tentative launch in 2026. Known for its sound stages, outdoor sets, and central location, Filmistan was once a go-to destination for Bollywood films, television shows, and ad shoots. However, with newer, tech-equipped studios sprouting across the city, Filmistan gradually fell out of favour.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Mumbai's iconic Filmistan Studios, founded by Kajol and Rani Mukerji's grandfather, sold for Rs 183 crore; to be redeveloped into luxury towers by 2026
Filmistan Studios, one of Mumbai's earliest and most storied film studios, has officially been acquired by Arkade Developers for Rs 183 crore. The deal was registered on July 3 and marks the end of an era for a property that played a foundational role in shaping the landscape of Indian cinema since the 1940s. Filmistan was founded in 1943 by Sasadhar Mukherjee, grandfather of actors Kajol and Rani Mukerji, alongside actor Ashok Kumar, Gyan Mukherjee, and Rai Bahadur Chunilal. The studio was born out of a break from Bombay Talkies, and quickly became a hub for Hindi film production. Back then, studios weren't just rental spaces, they were full-fledged production houses employing actors on monthly salaries. A legacy of Indian cinema to be replaced by luxury living Known for its sound stages, accessible outdoor sets, and central location in Goregaon West, Filmistan served as the backdrop for countless Bollywood films, TV shows, and advertisements over several decades. However, with newer, tech-savvy studios mushrooming across the city, Filmistan gradually lost its sheen. Now, the four-acre parcel on SV Road is set to transform. Arkade Developers plans to launch an ultra-luxury residential project with a projected gross development value of Rs 3,000 crore. The high-rise development, slated for a tentative launch in 2026, will reportedly include 3, 4, and 5 BHK residences and penthouses across two 50-storey towers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Upto 15% Discount for Salaried Individuals ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo 'Thrilled to shape the next chapter' Confirming the news on LinkedIn, Arkade Developers' Chairman and Managing Director Amit Jain wrote, 'Thrilled to share that Arkade Developers has successfully acquired the iconic 4-acre Filmistan Pvt. Ltd. land parcel on SV Road, Goregaon West, for a total consideration of Rs 183 crore.' He added that the location will now house an 'ultra-luxury residential project on one of Mumbai's most storied addresses—popularly known as 'Filmistan Studios'.' Dharmesh Yelande Spotted At Filmistan Studio In a statement to Hindustan Times, Jain emphasised the emotional weight of the site: 'Filmistan Studios holds immense emotional and legacy significance for Mumbai, and we are privileged to be entrusted with shaping its next chapter. This development will go beyond being a premium address, and it will offer a thoughtfully curated lifestyle experience for a discerning few.' He also said that the company's aim is not just to construct homes, but to build a legacy reflective of Mumbai's evolving aspirations.
