In a city where cinema runs through its veins, some of Mumbai’s most iconic film studios are stepping into a bold new role and evolving with the times. The same spaces that once echoed with legendary dialogues and timeless melodies are now being reimagined as sleek residences and buzzing commercial hubs.
From Filmistan and Kamalistan to RK Studios, these cinematic landmarks are being reimagined into luxury homes and cutting-edge business districts.
Farewell Filmistan, Hello Luxury Living
Once a bustling film production house founded in 1943 by cinematic legends like Sashadhar Mukherjee and Ashok Kumar, Filmistan Studios was home to cult classics and creative greats—SD Burman, Nasir Hussain, Saadat Hasan Manto, and Madan Mohan, to name a few.
But the arc lights dimmed long ago. Over the years, Filmistan turned into a quieter space, occasionally hosting TV shoots and ad films. And now, the land itself is preparing for its next big role.
Arkade Developers has acquired the 4-acre Filmistan plot for ?183 crore and is set to launch a premium residential project with a Gross Development Value (GDV) of ?3,000 crore. The plan includes two 50-storey luxury towers, offering spacious 3, 4, and 5 BHK homes for a select few. The project is expected to launch in early 2026.
And what a location it is - just off SV Road in Goregaon West, minutes from the Western Express Highway, metro lines, and commercial hotspots like Andheri and Mindspace. With property prices here hovering between ?30,000–?40,000 per sq. ft., the development is poised to become a new landmark in Mumbai’s growing luxury housing segment.
Lights, Camera, Commercial—Kamalistan Turns Corporate
Just a few kilometres east, Kamalistan Studios—founded by filmmaker Kamal Amrohi in 1958 and once home to grand cinematic productions like Pakeezah, Razia Sultan, and Amar Akbar Anthony - is undergoing a dramatic transformation.
Spread across 25 acres along the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR), this former film campus is being transformed into Nexus Office Park, a massive commercial district. With over 7 million sq. ft. of office space and space for 1.25 lakh workstations, it will become one of Mumbai’s largest corporate parks.
Valued at $3 billion (?21,000 crore), Nexus is a joint venture between RMZ Corp and DB Realty, with RMZ holding a 55% stake. Its central location, close to Powai, SEEPZ, and Andheri, makes it an ideal launchpad for Mumbai’s next generation of commercial development.
RK Studios: A Cinematic Landmark Transformed
Before Filmistan and Kamalistan, it was RK Studios in Chembur that paved the way for heritage redevelopment done right.
Founded by Raj Kapoor in 1948, the studio was home to some of Indian cinema’s most iconic films, including Awaara, Shree 420, Mera Naam Joker, Bobby, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, and Ram Teri Ganga Maili. But after sustaining a fire in 2017 and remaining underutilised, the Kapoor family eventually sold the property to Godrej Properties.
Godrej RKS preserves the original red-and-white studio entrance and logo, while offering beautifully designed 2, 3, and 4 BHK homes inspired by Bombay’s classic Art Deco charm. Spread across 33,000 sq. m., it also features a high-end retail experience. Located on the Sion-Panvel Highway, just two minutes from the Eastern Express Highway - it offers seamless access to BKC, the airport, and key parts of the city.
Not Just Redevelopment—It’s Mumbai Reinventing Itself
The transformation of Filmistan, Kamalistan, and RK Studios isn’t just about new buildings—it’s about how Mumbai is reshaping its identity.
As the city grows more crowded and vertical, the pressure to find quality space, both to live and to work, is pushing developers to think smarter. Instead of expanding outward, they are looking inward, turning old, iconic properties into modern, high-value real estate.
These legacy plots, once home to film legends and creative history, are now being seen as rare opportunities—with their prime locations, built-up infrastructure, and deep emotional ties to the city.
The potential is huge:
- Unbeatable locations already well-connected by roads, metros, and city life
- Strong cultural value that resonates with residents and buyers alike
- High interest from both homebuyers and investors seeking premium, story-rich assets
Mumbai isn’t just building taller—it’s also being asked to build smarter. The challenge lies in crafting something new, without completely erasing what came before. And that’s where the real test and opportunity for developers lies: blending legacy with lifestyle, emotion with economics, memory with modernity.
A City That Rewrites Its Own Story
Mumbai has never stood still. It has a way of turning the old into the extraordinary—textile mills into buzzing malls, warehouses into art spaces, and now, iconic film studios into gleaming towers and vibrant business hubs.
With developers like Arkade, RMZ, and Godrej at the helm, this wave of transformation is more than just construction. It’s about rewriting the city’s narrative while holding on to its roots. These aren’t just real estate projects; they are cultural landmarks being given a second life.
Because in Mumbai, growth isn’t just about going higher. It’s about building with memory, meaning, and respect for the stories that came before. And that’s what truly makes this city timeless.
