Akshay Kumar Urges Maha CM to Transform Film City Within Four Years

Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar called on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to overhaul Mumbai’s iconic Film City during a lively dialogue at the 25th FICCI Frames Summit on October 7, 2025. The Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari in Goregaon, established in 1977 by the state government, has long served as a cornerstone of Bollywood and television production. Kumar, engaging Fadnavis on cinema’s societal role, emphasised the need for a modernised Film City to meet the industry’s evolving demands, sparking a commitment from the chief minister to initiate a transformation within a year.

Fadnavis acknowledged past hurdles in upgrading the facility during his 2014-2019 tenure, citing extensive planning and consultations with film industry stakeholders that fell short of execution. “Filmmaking is changing with VFX, post-production, and green screen technology. We need an ecosystem for all this,” he said, pledging to transform Film City into a world-class hub within four years. He noted that while classic Bollywood films were once shot on its sprawling 520-acre campus, modern productions increasingly favour diverse locations. The revamp aims to integrate advanced studios, editing suites, and sustainable infrastructure, positioning Mumbai to compete with global hubs like Los Angeles and London.

The conversation, part of Asia’s premier media and entertainment summit, also touched on promoting Marathi cinema. Kumar, a self-professed fan of films like Natsamrat and Dashavatar, urged efforts to engage Gen Z audiences. Fadnavis credited Marathi theatre’s vibrancy for fuelling the industry’s storytelling, promising government support to amplify its reach. “Marathi plays often run houseful, and that energy reflects in our films. We’ll work to connect with younger viewers,” he said, aligning with Maharashtra’s $400 billion economy and its cultural hub status. He also proposed a film on rising cybercrimes, including deepfakes and financial fraud, to leverage cinema’s communicative power.

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In a lighter moment, Kumar revisited his 2019 interview with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where his question about eating mangoes drew online ridicule. Undeterred, he playfully asked Fadnavis about his preference for oranges, prompting the chief minister to share his habit of eating halved oranges with a sprinkle of salt. Referencing his fondness for Nayak: The Real Hero (2001), Fadnavis humorously recounted telling Anil Kapoor, “People think you’re the Nayak and we’re incompetent!” The exchange underscored Film City’s cultural significance, with Kumar’s advocacy signalling a push to restore its legacy as Bollywood’s beating heart.

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