MGR Film City

12°59′33″N 80°14′42″E The MGR Film City is an integrated film studio complex in Taramani, Chennai. It was established in 1994 mainly to attract filmmakers and tourists and originally named after former chief minister of Tamil Nadu MG Ramachandran JJ Film City by the AIADMK government. When DMK returned to power in 1996 it was renamed MGR Film City after the popular actor and late Chief Minister M. G. Ramachandran.[1] It also houses a film institute, known as MGR Film and Television Institute.

Features

The MGR Film City has numerous sets built on various themes to serve as scenery for movies.[2] Sets on Mughal and Japanese themes are popular.[3] Several movies including Avvai Shanmughi, Mudhalvan, Hey Ram and the launching ceremony of the shelved Marudhanayagam were shot at the MGR Film City. Queen Elizabeth visited the place during her tour to India in 1997.[4][5] Although it experienced initial success, the film city fell back, accumulating a loss of 14  crores (140 million).[6] It also has entertainment facilities for children. Bollywood actor Aamir Khan donated rupees 1.5 lakhs ((₹)150,000 or $3,000 to $4,000) to the city in 2008.[7]

Developments

In 2002 the MGR Film City was handed over to TIDCO to develop the area into a knowledge park.[8] The film city's proximity to the Adyar Film Institute, Indian Institute of Technology Madras and the IT corridor was cited as the reason for it to be developed into a knowledge park. TIDCO has plans to build various research facilities for biotechnology and information technology in the premise. An international grade movie park was also planned in the film city.[9]

In August 2014, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announced setting up of two modern studios at a cost of ₹ 150 million. These two air-conditioned studios would cover over 2.5 acres within the MGR Government Film and Television Institute campus.[10]

The Film City is closed since 2002 and no sightseeing allowed ever since.

References
  1. "Indian Film Cities". indiamarks. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  2. "Movie park planned in city". business-standard. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  3. S. Shanker (17 April 2000). "Reliving a colourful past". The Hindu. thehindu. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  4. "National events in October 1997". The Hindu. thehindu. Archived from the original on 31 December 2003. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  5. T.S.Subramaniyan. "A rough passage to India". Frontline. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  6. "MGR film city to give way to knowledge park". The Hindu. thehindubusinessline. 2 August 2002. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  7. "Children of bigger god". asitlive. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  8. T.S. Shankar (3 August 2002). "Knowledge park coming up at MGR Film City". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  9. T.S. Shankar (4 August 2002). "Don't close down MGR Film City". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  10. "TN to have two modern cine studios in Chennai". Business Line. The Hindu. 14 July 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.


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