Chasing Bollywood dreams: How Noida’s Film City became a media hub
Thirty-three years after it was founded, there are hardly any film production houses in Noida Film City. Instead, media companies have taken over the 100-acre complex.
When it comes to holding on to one’s Bollywood dream, Uttar Pradesh sets quite an example. Since 1988, when a film city was founded in the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (Noida), the state has been trying to establish itself as a destination for film production – but with little luck.
After media houses started replacing film production houses in Noida Film City, in 2015, then chief minister Akhilesh Yadav of Samajwadi Party tried to set up two more film cities along the Lucknow-Agra Expressway. Neither have seen the light of day. Earlier this year, chief minister Adityanath’s government approved a proposal to set up “the biggest film city”, this time in the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority, or YEIDA, area.
Meanwhile, 33 years later, the original Noida Film City has transformed into a media hub.
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