Film City Mumbai, the magical land of Mumbai

Fiilm-set
Film set of Sanjay Leela Bhansali productions
Film set of Sanjay Leela Bhansali productions
Film set of Sanjay Leela Bhansali productions

People in India are driven by many things. Things in Bollywood play a very important role in lives of 125 crore people. These films inspire many and give them hope to do things like their favourite film stars. Be it Sharukh Khan swaying his arms to woo the actress working against him, or Hrithik Roshan banging the hell out of bad guys, everything is produced here in the magical land called as Film City.

A famous Bollywood choreographer in excited talk
A famous Bollywood choreographer in excited talk

“Goregaon film city” or “Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari” is a place where many Bollywood movies are made making history every Friday. It’s the same place where records are made to be broken everyday!

Bhoot Bungalow of Bollywood
Bhoot Bungalow of Bollywood

So here I was, all excited and determined to explore this place but wait, they only let you inside on bus tours or if you are working (or know someone working inside there). So, I was left with no choice but to explore this place all caged inside a tour bus with a tour guide yapping about different sets and locations. We were allowed to take photographs only on some locations without stepping off from the bus.

Set of ‘Maharana Pratap’ TV serial
Set of ‘Maharana Pratap’ TV serial

 

Dhoom movie shootings location
This location has witnessed several shootings like the last scene of movie Dhoom

As I continued my tour towards the more locations inside I learned how much money these art directors and directors spend to make a set. Also, since they pay mammoth amount to rent the place their sets only lasts for the duration of a shot. For example, if they want to shoot a song which is going to take lets say 15 days, they will spend crores of rupees making mammoth sets and then all of it would be destroyed when the shooting gets over. How crazy is that!

Film City tour bus
Film City tour bus

 

Famous Temple of Bollywood
I guess this is the only famous temple in the world which has no idol inside. Strange, right?

 

Abdul’s soda shop from Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashma
Abdul’s soda shop from famous teleshow Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashma

Not only feature films are being shot here, it’s a hub for shooting daily soaps as well. Many advertisements are being shot here as well. Film City has an array of artificial lakes, grounds and big halls as the shooting locations. This place has witnessed the era of B. R. Chopras’s Mahabharata and still carrying the legacy of making history with each passing day!

Gokuldham society from 'Taarak Mehta ka ooltah Chashma'
Gokuldham society from ‘Taarak Mehta ka ooltah Chashma’

Film City Mumbai Address: Film City Road, Post Aarey, Goregaon (East), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400065 Entry Fees:  Free Best Time: During Day Length of visit: More than 3hrs

 

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