Kapoor family selling Raj Kapoor’s iconic RK Studio: Here’s what we know so far
The Kapoors including Rishi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor among others are facing heavy emotional loss as they’ve taken the hard decision to put the iconic RK Studio on sale. The decision, which was taken by the family after long sessions of contemplation, has left many Raj Kapoor fans disheartened. Rishi Kapoor and Randhir Kapoor believe that selling the property is the need of the hour as it has been facing only losses ever since the massive fire of 2017.
The Studio produced films like Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Mera Naam Joker (1970) and Bobby (1973) among many others. The studio suffered a major fire in September last year which burnt Raj Kapoor’s memorabilia including his Mera Naam Joker mask to ashes.
Kapoor family to sell iconic RK Studios after facing massive loss due to fire in 2017
Chhati pe patthar rakkhar, soch samajh kar decision liya hai- Rishi Kapoor on RK Studio
Talking to Mumbai Mirror veteran actor and son of Raj Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor told Mumbai Mirror, “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. We Kapoors are very emotional lot but then…”
While talking, the 102 Not Out actor tried to control an emotional outburst as the studio is very close to the Kapoor clan’s heart.
“The investment in rebuilding the studio would just not have yielded sufficient revenue to keep it going. Believe me, we had to take the larger picture into account and take a level-headed decision. Even before the fire, for years R. K. Studio had become a huge white elephant, toting up losses. The few bookings we would get from films, TV serials and ad shoots would expect free parking space, air-conditioning and discounts,” he continued.
Why is the iconic RK Studio being sold?
RK Studio has been facing massive losses since it hardly gets any booking for Bollywood or television projects. The major blow to the studio was its location, Chembur in the eastern suburbs. The location is no longer sought after the filmmakers. The studios in Andheri and Goregaon’s Film City are the primary attractions for shootings nowadays, leaving RK Studio in oblivion.
TV serials and shoots also expect to get free parking space, air-conditioning and discounts, which RK Studio fails to provide for.
RK Studio 2017 fire accident and its aftermath
In Septmber 2017, a major fire broke out at RK Studios. The fire emanated from the sets of Super Dancer 2 and spread to the entire 2-acre premises. Though there were no causalities reported, but heavy loss was suffered as the invaluable RK Films memorabilia including costumes worn by Raj Kapoor, Nargis Dutt, Vyajanthimala and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan were destroyed.
RK Studio fire 2017
Soon after the fire, heartbroken Rishi Kapoor tweeted, “Sad A major fire broke out at RK StudiosWe have lost the iconic Stage 1 Thankfully no casualties nor injuries. All your concerns appreciated.”
“A Studio can be built again but the loss of the irreplaceable memorabilia and costumes of all RK Films,is tragic for all. Fire took it away.”
How much will RK Studio fetch?
According to a Quint report, the RK Studio which is located in eastern Mumbai could fetch around Rs 500 crore to the seller.
Kareena Kapoor Khan, Randhir Kapoor on RK Studio sale
Kareena Kapoor Khan reiterated the emotions of uncle Rishi Kapoor while talking about RK Studio sale. She said, “RK Studios will always be close to our heart. It is our family home. It is one of the glorious studios to have ever been made.”
“Yes, it’s (RK Studio) up for sale. We have not decided on anything else. It’s not economically viable for us to set up a new studio. We had to dismantle the entire place after the fire. It’s, even more, an emotional loss than a monetary loss. We have lost the entire memorabilia of Raj Kapoor. Whatever Raj Kapoor had built has been burnt down. Everything is gone,” Randhir Kapoor told The Quint.
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