Kapoor family unanimously decide to sell RK Studio

Late actor Raj Kapoor had laid the foundation of the iconic studio 70 years ago

The iconic RK Studio created 70 years ago by late star Raj Kapoor is all set to go on sale. The legendary actor's wife and sons Randhir, Rishi and Rajiv Kapoor along with daughters Ritu Nanda and Rima Jain have unanimously decided to sell the studio.

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According to Mumbai Mirror, the lot said that it was not practical to hang on to the two-acre studio which was mostly destroyed in a fire last year.

The family has already appointed a team to initiate the sale negotiation process with builders, developers and corporate. After Raj's death 63 years ago, the Kapoor clan had decided to preserve the studio. However, the decision to put it on sale was heartbreaking for them.

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Rishi stated, "For a while, we did juggle with the idea of renovating the place with state-of-the-art technology. However, in reality it isn’t always possible for a phoenix to rise from the ashes. We, Kapoors, are very emotional lot." He explained that the investment in rebuilding the studio would not generate enough revenue to keep it running.

The 102 Not Out actor added, "The few bookings we would get from films, TV serials and ad shoots would expect free parking space, air-conditioning and discounts." Rishi also mentioned that one of the many reasons of shutting down the studio was that film-makers mostly preferred their sets to be built in Andheri or Gurgaon's Film City as opposed to RK Studio which was located in Chembur.

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He elaborated, "Us, brothers, have a very strong bond but who knows about our children and grandchildren? What if differences crop up in the next generation? The studio would only end up in litigation as so many industrial and textile estates have. There would be family differences and lawyers would end up charging heavy sums of fee. Do you think my father would have liked to see his labour of love becoming the subject of courtroom proceedings?"

While the studio is all set to go on sale, Rishi also recalled some of the good times he spent at the place. "There are so many wonderful memories there and so much film history, but that would be like clutching on to straws in the wind."

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When asked if his son, Ranbir Kapoor would want to preserve the studio, Rishi replied, "If he has the money, let him buy it from us. But that would be silly. It’s Ranbir’s time to concentrate on his career."

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The 65-year-old actor added that the studio could be sold in "two days, two months or two years" as they have no specific timelines set.

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