Why the Kapoor Family Sold Raj Kapoor Iconic RK Studio After 76 Years

Raj Kapoor, the legendary Bollywood filmmaker, built the grand RK Studio in Mumbai’s Chembur area back in 1948. This studio was a realization of his dream and became a cornerstone of Indian cinema for decades. However, after Raj Kapoor’s death in 1988, his children—Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, and Rajiv Kapoor—made the tough decision to sell the iconic RK Studio in 2019, 76 years after its creation.

The Glory Days of RK Studio

For over five decades, RK Studio was not just a hub for filmmaking; it was the heart of Bollywood celebrations. Holi and Ganesh Chaturthi were grandly celebrated there, and the studio played host to a number of movie shoots that shaped the golden era of Indian cinema. RK Studio became synonymous with Raj Kapoor’s legacy, and the Kapoor family maintained its relevance through these celebrations and the films that were made there.

However, despite its rich history, the Kapoor family chose to sell the studio, leaving many wondering why such a significant decision was made.

Challenges Faced by the Kapoor Family

As Bollywood shifted its focus towards the suburbs of Bandra and Andheri, the Kapoor family also gradually moved their residence away from Chembur. Over the years, the studio saw a decline in activity, and after Raj Kapoor’s passing, films under the RK banner almost completely stopped being produced. The Kapoor brothers, focusing more on their acting careers, had little interest in running the studio.

Moreover, RK Studio wasn’t as conveniently located as other major studios in Mumbai. Unlike Mehbob Studio, which was closer to actors’ residences, or Film City, which was strategically placed on the Western Line, RK Studio was located in Chembur. With the city’s increasing traffic congestion, reaching the studio became a time-consuming ordeal. This, coupled with the growing operational costs, led to a decline in movie shoots. In response, the family began renting the space to television production houses for shooting serials and reality shows. However, even with reduced rent, the financial returns were unsatisfactory, and the studio’s expenses kept rising.

The Fire at RK Studio

The final blow came in 2017 when a massive fire broke out at RK Studio during the shooting of Shilpa Shetty’s reality show, Super Dancer. This fire not only damaged the physical infrastructure of the studio but also dashed the Kapoor family’s hopes of restoring it to its former glory. Although Rishi Kapoor initially expressed a desire to rebuild the studio, his brother Randhir Kapoor insisted that doing so would not be financially viable.

Faced with mounting costs, a declining return on investment, and the lack of interest from the younger generation, the Kapoor family made the difficult decision to sell the studio.

A Family Decision to Avoid Conflict

Rishi Kapoor, in an interview, explained that the decision to sell RK Studio was made after much deliberation and with a heavy heart. “We all sat together and made a decision, keeping the future of our family in mind. It was important to ensure that the relationship between us brothers remained intact. We didn’t want our children and grandchildren to fight over this property,” Rishi said. He further emphasized that the Kapoor family did not want their father’s legacy to turn into a courtroom drama, which is why the decision was made to sell.

In 2019, the Kapoor family sold RK Studio to a large brand for an estimated price of around ₹180 to ₹200 crore, though no official confirmation of the exact amount was ever provided.

The End of an Era

Selling RK Studio marked the end of an era for the Kapoor family and Indian cinema. Raj Kapoor’s dream had lived on for over seven decades, and while the decision to sell it was driven by practical and financial concerns, it also symbolized a shift in Bollywood and the Kapoor family’s evolving priorities. The studio that once stood as a testament to Raj Kapoor’s cinematic legacy was now a part of Bollywood’s history, leaving behind cherished memories of an iconic era.

As the Kapoor family moves forward, the sale of RK Studio serves as a poignant reminder that even the most iconic landmarks are not immune to the changing tides of time.