The city of Mumbai is incomplete without its glitz and glamour. The various studios here are part of this. The RK Studios is one of the most famous and prestigious studios in the city; whose enduring legacy is worth much more than mere glitz and glamour. This huge studio is placed in Chembur, on the Sion Trombay road, and is an integral part of Mumbai’s culture.

Working in the RK Studios is surely the dream of every aspiring actor wanting to make it big in the Hindi film industry, popularly known as Bollywood. The RK Studio was set up by none other than the legendary Raj Kapoor, one of the greatest filmmakers of Indian cinema. Besides his immense directorial talent, he was also a fabulous actor, who was inspired by the great Charlie Chaplin. It was his dream and vision to start this studio. He constructed the studio in the year 1951, and one of the initial shootings in it was the famous dream sequence of Awara, which went on to become a classic. It is perhaps one of the greatest scenes of song picturisation ever enacted on the Hindi cinema.

The characteristic emblem of the RK banner was a result of one of the passionate scenes in Raj Kapoor’s famous movie Barsaat. The movie Barsaat, which was released in 1949, epitomised the idea of romance. Nargis was the lead co-star of this movie, along with Raj Kappor, Premnath and Nimmi. The scene where Nargis is intertwined with Raj Kapoor with Raj playing the violin is etched in the history of the Hindi cinema. This image was adopted as the symbol of the RK banner and as the insignia of the studio.

The RK Studios created many super hits of the yesteryears, which also went on to become critically acclaimed movies. They are enjoyed even today by the twenty first century India, which truly attests to their timeless aesthetic quality. They include movies like Awara and Shri 420. Both these movies, which were produced and directed by Raj Kapoor, who also played male lead roles in them, not only became a rage in India, but went on to garner considerable commercial popularity and critical acclaim outside the country, specially in the Soviet Russia. They were followed by several masterpieces like Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hain, Sangam, Mera Naam Joker, Bobby and Ram Teri Ganga Maili. Besides the RK films, a plethora of other films from outside banners were and still are being shot in this studio, which has now graduated to a revered institution of sorts in the arena of Indian cinema.

Today the studio is equipped with all the modern amenities and facilities required to shoot movies, catering to international level of technical quality. Exceptional and elaborate sets are available here, which seem quite real to life. Despite the Film City, even today numerous films are shot in this grand studio.

Another interesting feature of the studio is the Holi festival, which is celebrated every year on a grand scale with all of the industry people being present here. The gracious hosts are none other than the Kapoor family who welcome everybody. It was Raj Kapoor who initiated this tradition of enjoying this festival of colours at his studio, which is maintained even today. Touring the studio is indeed a great experience. You can acquire prior permission and take a look at the studio from inside. If you truly love cinema, you may hear “Lights, Action and Cut” echoing through every nook and corner.