M. G. R. Film City

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 JJ Film City by the AIADMK government. When DMK returned to power in 1996 it was renamed MGR Film City after the hugely 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]

References

  1. ↑ "Indian Film Cities". indiamarks. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  2. ↑ "Movie park planned in city". business-standard. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
  3. ↑ S. Shanker (2000-04-17). "Reliving a colourful past". The Hindu. thehindu. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
  4. ↑ "National events in October 1997". The Hindu. thehindu. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  5. ↑ T.S.Subramaniyan. "A rough passage to India". Frontline. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  6. ↑ "MGR film city to give way to knowledge park". The Hindu. thehindubusinessline. 2002-08-02. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
  7. ↑ "Children of bigger god". asitlive. Retrieved 2012-07-03.
  8. ↑ T.S. Shankar. "Knowledge park coming up at MGR Film City". The Hindu. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
  9. ↑ T.S. Shankar. "Don't close down MGR Film City". The Hindu. Retrieved 2012-07-04.
  10. ↑ "TN to have two modern cine studios in Chennai". Business Line. The Hindu. 14 July 2014. Retrieved 9 Aug 2014.


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