Is Noida Film City the Future of Indian Cinema?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The International Film City is a significant initiative for Uttar Pradesh's film industry.
- The project is backed by prominent figures in Bollywood.
- It aims to create numerous job opportunities.
- The development will occur in four phases over eight years.
- Strategically located near the Noida International Airport.
Noida, June 26 (NationPress) Uttar Pradesh is poised to commence its most ambitious film and media project to date — the International Film City in Sector‑21 along the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida on Thursday.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is expected to lay the foundation stone for this monumental undertaking during the 'Bhoomi Pujan' ceremony scheduled for 5 p.m.
This initiative is led by Bayview Bhutani Film City Pvt Ltd, a collaboration between renowned filmmaker Boney Kapoor and the Bhutani Group, and is being developed in partnership with the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA).
In addition to Boney Kapoor and the Bhutani family, numerous Bollywood stars will attend the Bhoomi Pujan event.
This venture signifies a substantial effort by the state to position itself as a prominent hub for the film and media sector.
Previously, YEIDA had delayed approval due to certain regulatory non-compliance issues, including the essential 15 percent green cover, structural safety certifications, and necessary no-objection certificates.
Nonetheless, after developers revised the layout to meet these requirements, YEIDA approved the project’s industrial segment, which encompasses an 80-acre core area.
The ambitious project will unfold in four phases over an eight-year timeline and will cover a vast expanse of 1,000 acres. While the initial stages will focus on developing core film infrastructure, subsequent phases will introduce commercial and entertainment zones, including hotels, retail spaces, and recreational facilities.
The first phase alone is projected to span nearly 230 acres, with an estimated cost between Rs 900 crore and Rs 1,510 crore. This initial phase will feature crucial filmmaking infrastructure, such as 13 to 14 state-of-the-art sound stages, a film and television institute, permanent outdoor sets, an underwater shooting studio, actor accommodations, a convention center, and a film museum.
Officials predict that the International Film City could generate up to five lakh direct and indirect job opportunities.
Strategically located near the upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar, this project is anticipated to attract both domestic and international film productions, significantly enhancing Uttar Pradesh's profile as a burgeoning center for the film and media industry.