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PIX: This is where MOVIES are made
A hundred years ago, Dadasaheb Phalke converted his home as the set of the very first Indian film, Raja Harishchandra.
As films grew in grandeur, their canvas grew too, leading the birth of iconic studios, where glittering stars and powerful filmmakers canned magic that would unspool on the silver screen.
We begin our celebration of the 100 years of Indian cinema by taking you on a tour of some of Mumbai's movie studios.
Hidden behind these gates are massive grounds, where iconic sets have been created, and destroyed.
Where blockbusters were filmed.
Where beautiful heroines fluttered their eyelashes and danced to unforgettable songs.
Where handsome heroes wooed shy damsels and beat up dastardly villains.
Where love stories blossomed, both on and off-screen.
Where people were drawn like moths to a flame, hoping for that once successful shot at Bollywood.
These are the studios of Mumbai, where a million dreams were woven. And a million dreams shattered.
Take a look.
Kamal Amrohi Studios
Also known as Kamalistan, this studio was built in 1958 by filmmaker Kamal Amrohi of Mahal and Pakeezah fame.
Some of the films shot here are Amar Akbar Anthony, Razia Sultan, Kaalia, Koyla and Khalnayak.
Recently, Salman Khan booked the entire studio for Dabangg 2, while John Abraham and Sanjay Dutt shot their films, I Me Aur Main and Policegiri respectively.
R K Studios
R K Studios was founded by Raj Kapoor in 1948.
The first film shot at the studio was Aag in the same year, which did not do well.
Some of Raj Kapoor's best films were filmed here like Barsaat (1949), Awaara (1951), Boot Polish (1954), Shri 420 (1955), Jagte Raho(1956), Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960), Mera Naam Joker (1970), Bobby (1973), Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978), Prem Rog (1982) and Ram Teri Ganga Maili(1985).
Raj Kapoor's sons also made movies here -- Randhir Kapoor completed his father's last fim Heena while Rajeev Kapoor made Premgranth and Rishi Kapoor directed Aa Ab Laut Chalen.
Ranbir Kapoor, Raj Kapoor's grandson, wants to revive the RK banner.
YRF Studios
Yash Raj Studios was built in 2006 by Yash Chopra.
Designed by his elder son Aditya Chopra, it is equipped with high-tech shooting equipment, and covers 20 acres on seven floors.
The first film to be shot here was 2006's Fanaa, followed by Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008), Band Baaja Baraat (2010), Ishaqzaade (2012), Ek Tha Tiger (2012) and many more.
Filmistan Studio
Filmistan was founded in 1943-1944 by filmmaker Shashdhar Mukherjee, who was instrumental in introducing Ashok Kumar to the movies. His granddaughter is Kajol.
Some of the films shot here are Krissh 3, Yamla Pagla Deewana, Delhi 6 and Partner.
Filmalaya Studio
Also founded by Shashdhar Mukherjee, Filmalaya Studio is currently co-owned by his older brother's son Ram Mukherjee (Rani Mukerji's father) and his sons Rono and Shubir Mukherjee.
Nasir Husain's Dil Deke Dekho (1959) was the first film to be shot here, followed by Love in Simla, Leader, Chhaila Babu and Hum Hindustani.
BIG ND Studio
In 2005, the wellknown art director Nitin Chandrakant Desai opened the ND Studio on 52 acres of land.
Later, Reliance Entertainment took a 50 per cent stake; it is now called BIG ND Studio.
Some films filmed here are Jodhaa Akbar, Action Replayy, Ishqiya, Traffic Signal and Lage Raho Munnabhai.
Mehboob Studio
Mehboob Studio was built by the legendary filmmaker Mehboob Khan, who filmed Mother India, here.
Other landmark movies shot here include Guru Dutt's Kaagaz Ke Phool and Dev Anand's Hum Dono and Guide.
Dev Anand liked the studio so much that he rented an office here for 20 years.
Salman Khan prefers to shoot his movies here, as the studio is located near his home in Bandra.
Famous Studios
Chandivali Studios
Chandivali Studios was founded by actor-filmmaker Chandrarao Kadam in 1940.
Some films shot here are Deewar, Karz, Coolie, Mard, Tridev, Tezaab, Dil Se, Black Friday, Veer-Zaara, Dev and Lafangey Parinde.
Ranjit Movietone
Ranjit Movietone, also known as Ranjit studios, was founded in 1929 by director-producer Sardar Chandulal Shah and singer-actress-producer Gohar.
The studio started with silent movies like Bikharan and later made talkies like Devi Devyani.
After Chandulal Shah's death in 1965, films were no longer shot at Ranjit studio, but it has become a historic monument.
Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari
Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari -- popularly known as Film City -- was built by the Maharashtra government to provide facilities and concessions to the film industry.
Some films shot here: Sholay, Kala Pathar, The Burning Train, Karz, Lawaaris, Maine Pyar Kiya, Chandni, Diwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, 3 Idiotsand Krrish.