Reviving RK Studio not commercially viable, says Randhir Kapoor

A touch of sadness enveloped the Hindi film industry after the Kapoor family announced their decision to sell RK Studio, the iconic film studio founded by late actor-director-producer Raj Kapoor in 1948 in Chembur, Mumbai. Raj Kapoor’s grand daughter, actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, spoke fondly of the place adding that the decision was taken by her father Randhir Kapoor and his brothers Rishi and Rajiv Kapoor.

Now Randhir, Raj Kapoor’s son, has revealed how reviving the studio, after the fire in September last year, is not commercially viable. 

“It’s [RK Studio] up for sale. We have not decided 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,” Randhir told The Quint, a news website.

The veteran actor revealed that apart from the monetary loss, the fire has also caused emotional loss for the family. “It’s even more an emotional loss than monetary loss. We have lost the entire memorabilia of Raj Kapoor. Whatever Raj Kapoor had built has been burnt down. Everything is gone,” he added.

The Kapoor family was left with no choice but put the studio up for sale as no one is utilising its services. The premises has practically shut down following the fire. 

“With the state of the roads and traffic today, no actor comes to Chembur to shoot in this studio. They would rather go to Film City. So, with a very heavy heart, we have decided to let it go. My whole family is very sad, but there’s no other way,” Randhir said.

Founded in 1948, the first film to be shot at RK Studio was Raj Kapoor's directorial debut Aag (1948) under the banner of RK Films.