The news of the historic Filmistan Studio in Goregaon (West), Mumbai being demolished soon has created a stir in the film industry. The studio, which has housed many iconic films, serials and reality shows within its walls, was started about 85 years ago i.e. in 1940 by Shashadhar Mukherjee and Ashok Kumar, grandfather of Rani Mukerji and Kajol.

Filmistan Studio was initially owned by Tolaram Jalan's wife Nina Jalan. Recently it was sold to a big real estate company, Arcade Developers, for 183 crore. Now this huge complex is being demolished and a luxurious residential project will be built in its place at a cost of 3000 crore. This news has triggered a huge reaction in the film industry. The All India Cine Workers Association has demanded an immediate stop to this project. He has written a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis saying that thousands of workers associated with this studio earn their livelihood from it. Selling it will create a crisis for their livelihood.

In fact, three more great studios of Mumbai have already been sold-Raj Kapoor's RK Studio, actress Kamala Amrohi's Kamalistan Studio (Jogeshwari) and now Filmistan. This is like a warning that the traditional means of filmmaking are slowly coming to an end. The establishment of Filmistan Studio was also very interesting. In the 1940s, Ashok Kumar and Sashadhar Mukherjee, who then worked in Bombay Talks, left Bombay Talks after the death of its founder Himansu Rai and made their own way. Nizam of Hyderabad Osman Ali Khan provided financial support for the construction of this ambitious studio.

The walls of Filmistan have witnessed many memorable moments of Indian cinema, the popular song ‘Aufhfo’ from ‘2 States’ (2014), 1940s hits like ‘Anarkali’, ‘Munimji’, ‘Naagin’, ‘Tumsa Nahin Dekha’, ‘Paying Guest’ and many more classics were made there. The first episode of Karan Johar’s first chat show ‘Koffee with Karan’ was also shot here. Several seasons of reality shows ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa’ and ‘Dance Plus’ were also shot in Filmistan.