When we think about the top five things that come to our mind when we hear Mumbai are Vada Pav, Mannat, Marine Drive, Local Trains, and Bollywood! An exaggerated dialogue, ‘Mumbai mein agar kaam karoge toh bhuka nahi sona padega’ you would hear from every middle-aged person who might be a street vendor selling fruits at a higher price for a living or a corporate employee underselling his time just to meet deadlines. These two have nothing in common except that one piece of adviceMany people from other states and cities come to Mumbai with gleaming ambition in their eyes, thinking the world is their oyster. Well, one of the places to fulfil these dreams is Film City. You would see many actors and actresses some superstars, and some struggling artists come to the sets of Film City to outshine with their performances.
Dadasaheb Phalke is considered to be the father of the Indian Film Industry who was a producer-director and screenwriter. He directed the first movie of Indian Cinema Raja Harishchandra, which was shot in 1913 in Bombay. His biopic is shown in the Marathi Movie ‘Raja Harishchandrachi Factory’ where you can see how he discovered his passion for cinemas and how he directed the first cinema in Indian history.
About Film City
If we talk about Film City, it has been a shooting location for many films. Almost all the Bollywood movies are shot here. Yes, even the Pathan movie shooting didn’t happen in Dubai, the whole set-up of Dubai was done here in Film City.Covering more than 520 acres in Mumbai Suburbs and having around 42 outdoor shooting sets and approximately 16 studios, the film city serves as the venue for many Bollywood movies, Marathi movies, serials, and OTT series. Also known as Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari, Film City in Mumbai is located in Goregaon East near Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
While touring Film City in Mumbai, you will see some of the permanent setups available for shooting including a temple, prison, court, Film City Lake, mountains, and many other iconic spots. You would have seen these spots in some or the other films, series, or daily scopes.
The Film City was built in 1977 by the state government to provide facilities and concessions to the Film Industry.
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Touring Film City In Mumbai
Watching how Bollywood movies are made while touring Mumbai is icing on the cake. Film City is open to tourists as well. You can book the tickets online as well as offline from the counter just outside the Film City. For tourists, there is a bus facility, once you get the tickets from the ticket counter your name is called to board the bus. On the bus, you will get a guide who will explain to you about Film City and studios and will entertain you in a quirky and witty way.
Let’s tour some of the famous Setups in Film City
1. Temple
So, one of the locations of your tour would be the Famous Temple of Film City. Many movies have been shot here including Policegiri, Biwi Ho Toh Aise, and Nagin. It is not dedicated to any god, it is just a film set where at the end of the shoot even God packs up.
2. Tarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chashma
If you are a fan of Tarak Mehta then this location is for you, although the set of Tarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chasma is heavily guarded just like a fortress. You cannot go inside the set of Tarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chashma.
3. Court
You would have seen this court in many movies where the hero comes for justice. Many movies have been shot here, it is a permanent set which is erected for shooting.
4. Film City Lake Point
In Film City there is a lake known as Film City Lake. Just near Sanjay Gandhi National Park, this place has been used in many movies and serials for shooting. Movies like Baghban, Suryavansham, Bhootnath, Singham, Dabangg, and many other movies had some shots near this lake.
5. Bollywood Park
This is the new attraction of Film City. You can explore many things in Bollywood Park including Standup Comedy, Dance performances, how films are edited, and how sound effects are created. You can also see the iconic bike of Golmaal in Bollywood Park. There is a section of wax statues as well where you can see the statues of Amitabh Bachchan, Krish, Balasaheb Thackeray, etc. Another section at Bollywood Park has costumes from famous movies, you can wear any costume for free. So be it Mastani, Shahenshah, or Chulbul Pandey they have all the costumes for your next Instagramable story.
You will also see many sets and studios of the famous shows that come on television including The Kapil Sharma Show, Kaun Banega Crorepati, Big Boss, Comedy Laughter Challenge, Indian Idol, Dance India Dance, and many more. Although you can only see these sets from outside and if you want to attend these shows you have to buy another ticket for the same.
Suggested Read: Exploring Mumbai’s Haji Ali Dargah
Some Iconic Scenes Which Were Shot In Film City In Mumbai
1. 3 Idiots
The famous scene where Priya runs from her wedding to meet her love, Phunsukh Wangdu. Yes, it was not shot in Shimla but in Film City. You could see the same open place where the wedding Pandal was erected.
2. Heeramandi
Even though the film is based out of a place in Lahore, it was shot in Film City. While visiting the Film City in Mumbai you could see the entire royal setup of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. This is the same set where many films of SLB were shot including Padmavat, Gangubai Kathiawadi, Kalank, etc.
3. CID/ Crime Patrol
You might wonder where the CID and crime Patrol cops shoot the crime scene. Yes, in Film City there is this place known as Khandala Bridge which is a favorite place of CID to find dead bodies.
4. Pathaan
Much to our surprise Pathaan movie was shot in Film City. As explained earlier all the Dubai scenes were shot here in Film City and not in Dubai.
5. Welcome
The Mumbai Film City Timings for tourists are from 11:00 am to 06:00 pm and the place remains open on all days.
Many scenes in Welcome movie were shot in Welcome Maidan. This open ground was also used in films like No Entry, and many serials. A famous scene in Welcome where a house falls is shot here in Welcome Maidan.
6. Baghban
In the Baghban movie, the home of Amitabh Bachchan is in the Film City. Though it looks very different now, it is the same home that is shown in the movie.
Mumbai Film City Timings
The Mumbai Film City Timings for tourists are from 11:00 am to 06:00 pm and the place remains open on all days.
Film City Mumbai Ticket Price
For Touring Film City Mumbai, the ticket price is Rs. 1099/- per person. Children below the age of 5 do not have any entry fees.
Restaurants Near Film City
Now, after spending hours roaming on sets and studios your rumbling stomach needs some food to digest. On your tour to Film City, there is a cafe famously known as Bollywood Cafeteria you can feast on. Another canteen you can visit famously known as Filmcity Canteen has amazing food, don’t be surprised if you see any Bollywood or Marathi Film actors sitting and having some food from here. Other restaurants near Film City are mentioned below –
- Chiliya Family Reastaurant
- Mumbai Times Cafe
- Anumati Family Reastaurant
Suggest Read: Revealing Top 18 Dining Spots In Mumbai | Best Restaurants In Mumbai
Top Hotels Near Film City
Following are some of the top hotels near Film City- The Westin Mumbai Garden
- The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake
- Treebo Trend Lake Bloom
- Zostel Mumbai
- Courtyard Mumbai International Airport
- Taj Santacruz
- IRA By Orchid Mumbai
How To Reach Film City In Mumbai
The nearest railway station to Film City is Goregaon Railway Station. It is around 7.2 km from the railway station. You can take a rickshaw from the railway station to the entrance of Film City. You can also book a cab online.
The nearest metro station, if you are travelling via metro, is Aarey Metro Station which is around 5 km from Film City.
The nearest airport to reach Film City is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. It is at a distance of 15 km from Film City. You can book a cab or a rickshaw from the airport.
Film City is well connected with the other parts of the city. You can travel via buses, rickshaws, or cabs according to your convenience. Please do not try to find a ‘Kali Peli’ taxi in the Mumbai suburbs. You will find ‘Kali Peli’ taxis only in South Mumbai. Although, you can book cabs online.
Places To Visit Near Film City In Mumbai
Located in Mumbai Suburbs there are many places to visit near Film City in Mumbai. Some handpicked places are mentioned below
1. Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Just 12 km from Film City is Sanjay Gandhi National Park. There are many activities to do in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, including Jungle Safari, Birding, trekking cycling, etc.
2. Kanheri Caves
Kanheri Caves is around 11 km from Film City. Also known as Kanheri Gufa there are around 109 caves carved out of the mountain. These caves are an abode of Buddhist sculptures, inscriptions, paintings, and carvings that date back from the 1st century AD to the 10th Century AD. For over 10 centuries these caves were the Buddhist viharas meant for studying, meditation, and living. 3. Juhu Beach
Being one of the best picnic spots in Mumbai Juhu Beach is around 12 km from the Film City. The best time to visit the beach is while the sun is setting the sand is a little warm and a cool breeze ruffles your hair. It is one of the best feelings you can have on your trip to Mumbai.