Prime Focus studio at Film City to make Mumbai global creative hub: CM Fadnavis
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday, 6 August inaugurated the first phase of Prime Focus's world-class studio facility at Film City, Goregaon, calling it a landmark step toward establishing Mumbai as a global centre for the creative economy. The facility, built within a year of an MoU signed at the 'WAVES 2025' summit, is positioned as Prime Focus's global headquarters and among the most advanced content production hubs in the world.
What the Studio Offers
The Film City facility integrates cutting-edge production technology with large-scale studio infrastructure, designed to serve both Indian and international entertainment clients. Namit Malhotra of Prime Focus described the project as 'a point of pride for Mumbai and India,' adding that the state government's backing was decisive in realising the vision. He also committed to completing Phase 2 of the facility shortly, which he said would consolidate India's leadership in the global entertainment sector.
Among the projects currently being produced at the studio is 'Ramayana', described as one of the world's largest cinematic co-production ventures. Chief Minister Fadnavis congratulated the production team, expressing confidence that the film would serve as a benchmark for Indian creativity on the world stage.
Government's Role and Approvals
Fadnavis highlighted that the state government provided all necessary assistance to complete Phase 1 on schedule — delivered within one year of the MoU signed during 'WAVES 2025'. Kaustubh Dhavse, Investment Advisor to the Chief Minister, noted that the facility's rapid execution after the summit agreement makes it one of the finest creative content hubs globally.
Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Secretary Chanchal Kumar credited the Maharashtra government's swift approvals for the project's timely completion. He expressed confidence in India's capacity to lead the global Orange Economy, citing the country's unparalleled talent, imagination, and rich storytelling traditions. Kumar also indicated that other investment commitments made during 'WAVES 2025' would soon take shape.
Culture Meets Technology
Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, who also holds the IT, AI, and Electronics portfolios, described the studio as an ideal model of culture and technology uniting to create social value. Referring to the trailer of 'Ramayana', Shelar said Prime Focus had given concrete form to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of the 'Orange Economy' — a framework centred on creativity, culture, and intellectual property as economic drivers.
Chief Minister Fadnavis echoed this, stating that Indian culture, heritage, and history hold countless inspiring narratives, and that cutting-edge technology paired with a robust creative ecosystem is vital to bringing these stories to a global audience.
Film City Redevelopment on the Horizon
Fadnavis announced that a comprehensive redevelopment plan to transform Film City into a world-class creative and entertainment hub would be finalised soon. The plan is aimed at nurturing youth creativity, generating new employment, and building a sustainable ecosystem for the entertainment industry in Maharashtra. This comes amid growing competition from other Asian production hubs, making the timing of Mumbai's infrastructure push strategically significant.