Mumbai Congress requests RK Studios to be turned into museum

Founded in 1948, Raj Kapoor’s Chembur film studio has been put up for sale by the Kapoor family, saying that it is no longer economical or practical to keep the studio running. Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam has asked that the state government procure RK Studios and convert it into a film museum.

The Asian Age reports that in a letter to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Nirupam said, “Over the past few decades, the people of Mumbai have developed an emotional bond with the legendary film studio. Hence, we demand that the government acquire this property at market value stated by the Kapoor family and convert it into a film museum. This will serve the dual purpose of preserving an important part of our nation’s heritage while generating revenue for the government as well.”

Nirupam also voiced that the government preserve the tremendous historical and emotional value attached to the studio. “The film studio is an extremely important part of our country’s cinematic history as well as an icon of cultural integration,” he added.

The iconic studios have produced many hit films over the decades  such as ‘Shree 420’ (1955), ‘Bobby’ (1973) and ‘Prem Rog’ (1983).