Sanjay Gupta to build dream studio in Karjat

MUMBAI: Sensing the growing inability of Bollywood filmmakers to shoot within Mumbai city, director-Sanjay Gupta has devised a dream plan to build a massive studio complex in Karjat, outside Mumbai.

"At the moment, I'm pooling all my resources into building White Feather Studios in Karjat. We're looking for the right land. But the planning has started," Gupta, who is shooting his "Acid Factory" in Hyderabad, said.

Gupta feels the Hindi film industry is moving out of Mumbai because it is not feasible to shoot in the city. 

"One thing is for sure. The whole film industry is now shifting out of Mumbai to shoot. You can't shoot in Mumbai anymore. It takes two hours from Versova to Film City. I shudder to think of the plight of actors who live in Bandra. With so many stars building homes in Karjat and Lonavala, Karjat is ideal for a studio."

Interestingly, art director Nitin Desai already has a studio there and Gupta is looking for a piece of land close by.

"I'm looking for land close to Nitin's studio. Ajay Devgan likes to shoot all his films at Nitin's studio. Why do you think I'm shooting 'Acid Factory' in Hyderabad?

"There are just five-six studios in Mumbai, all dirty and uninhabitable. Ramoji Rao Studio in Hyderabad is booked by Bollywood filmmakers weeks in advance. I want to give our industry the same facilities nearer home."