The iconic RK Studio in Mumbai's Chembur is up for sale. According to a Mumbai Mirror report, the Kapoor family has collectively made the decision to sell the studio that was set up by Raj Kapoor in 1948.
A major part of the studio was gutted in a massive fire that broke out on September 16, 2017. Along with the parts of the studio, the fire had destroyed memorabilia from the films shot there. But all their films are now in safe custody with National Film Archives of India (NFAI).
Randhir, Rishi and Rajiv Kapoor, their mother Krishna Kapoor, and sisters Ritu Nanda and Rima Jain took the collective decision. The daily reported that the family has employed a team to negotiate the sale with builders, developers, and corporates.
“For a while, we did juggle with the idea of renovating the place with state-of-the-art technology. However, in reality, it isn’t always possible for a phoenix to rise from the ashes," Rishi Kapoor told the daily.
The actor revealed that even before the fire destroyed the studio, it was a loss-making machine. Considering the bigger picture, the family reportedly decided to go ahead with the sale.
The Kapoors shot Aag, Barsaat, Awaara, Shri 420, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, Mera Naam Joker, Bobby, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Ram Teri Ganga Maili, among others. The last film made under the banner and filmed at RK Studio was Aa Ab Laut Chalen.
The family has not set up a deadline for the sale. "We had to place a stone on our hearts. Chhati pe patthar rakkhar, soch samajh kar decision liya hai," said Rishi Kapoor.
