Boney Kapoor's Film City Studio in Noida to Be Completed by Year-End
In a significant development for India's entertainment industry, filmmaker Boney Kapoor has announced that his consortium, Bayview Bhutani Film City Pvt Ltd, will complete a four-acre studio at the International Film City in Noida by the end of this year. Located in Sector 21 of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority area, this studio is part of a larger vision to create a world-class creative hub.
Details of the Studio and Film City Project
The proposed studio is one of 14 permanent sets planned for the Film City. Spread over four acres, the three-storey facility will feature modern sound recording and mixing units, conference rooms, a large dining hall, and multiple ready-to-use standing sets essential for film and television productions. Kapoor emphasized that construction will begin shortly and be finished within the year, aiming not just to build structures but to foster an ecosystem for storytellers.
This announcement coincides with the commencement of shooting for 'Mom 2' on a temporary set at the site on Sunday, marking it as the first full-length feature film to start production at the project along the Yamuna Expressway. Kapoor revealed plans to shoot three to four of his upcoming films at Jewar, with sets from current and future shoots being retained until permanent studios are ready. These sets will be offered free of cost to producers working on OTT platforms and television projects.
Key Aspects of the Film City Initiative
Bhutani Group CEO Ashish Bhutani highlighted that the developers aim to facilitate the shooting of at least 10 films in the first year of operations. He described the start of filming as a crucial milestone expected to generate employment and spur regional development. The consortium won the bid in January 2024 to develop the Film City with an estimated investment of Rs 1,510 crore over eight years.
Additionally, the project includes plans to establish a film institute named after the late actor Sridevi, offering training in acting, direction, cinematography, and technical disciplines. Of the 230 acres earmarked for Phase 1, 155 acres are designated for industrial use and 75 acres for commercial development. The industrial zone allocates 21 acres for the film institute and 134 acres for production facilities.
Impact on the Entertainment Sector
The International Film City is poised to become a major hub for filmmaking in India, providing state-of-the-art infrastructure and supporting the growth of the entertainment industry. With key portions of Mom 2, including parts of the climax, scheduled to be filmed at the site, the project is already attracting significant attention. Directed by Girish Kohli, who co-wrote the 2017 film 'Mom', the sequel features actors such as Khushi Kapoor, Karishma Tanna, Jisshu Sengupta, and Manoj Pahwa.
This initiative not only enhances production capabilities but also promotes skill development through the proposed film institute, contributing to the overall advancement of the cinematic arts in the region.
