'RK Studio On Sale' - this headline shook the Internet from the core, which is not yet ready to watch the iconic studio built by Raj Kapoor in 1948, run over by the bulldozers. Rishi Kapoor, one of Raj Kapoor's five children, confirmed the sale of the studio, which is spread over 2 acres in Mumbai's Chembur area, to Mumbai Mirror saying that the operations cost won't keep the establishment running even after renovation. RK Studio was gutted by fire last year, which destroyed most of the property along with memorabilia and costumes of all RK Films. Speaking about the sale of her family studio, Kareena Kapoor told reporters at an event, "I think it's probably something that the family has decided, so it's upto my fathers, his brothers and up to them... If that's what they have decided, so be it," reported IANS.
A Studio can be built again but the loss of the irreplaceable memorabilia and costumes of all RK Films,is tragic for all. Fire took it away
— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) September 16, 2017
However, fans of Raj Kapoor, who have emotionally invested in the studio, have alternatives to keep the late actor's legacy alive. After all, the Prithvi Theatre (started by Shashi Kapoor and maintained by his children Sanjana and Kunal Kapoor today) is alive and thriving. On Twitter, several users suggested that RK Studio be adopted by the government (if it cannot be maintained by the family) and be converted into a Bollywood museum or a film school.
Director Rahul Dholakia (Raees and Parzania) also joined Twitter's suggestion committee: "...Imagine the young talents exploring cinema on Raj Kapoor's playground," he tweeted.
Wouldn't it be a great idea for the Govt to buy RK STUDIO and convert it into a Film School ? after all it was home to one of India's best story teller and then imagine the young talents exploring cinema on Raj Kapoor's playground @Dev_Fadnavis @chintskap better than a high rise.
— rahul dholakia (@rahuldholakia) August 26, 2018
And here are some tweets, who'd rather see the studio turning into a museum:
@chintskap plzzzz sir if the news is right that u ppl are selling rk studio plzzzzzzzzzzz don'tturn it into raj kapoor museum or let it be but don't sell it!! I hope u see this!!
— sumyya khan (@sumyyakhan4) August 27, 2018
Time to save the #RKStudio @Dev_Fadnavis @Ra_THORe As heritage of the first showman of India @RajKapoor .. so that song has the value .. .. rahengi nishaniyan .. let the govt acquire it & do the needful ..
— Mrityunjoy Kumar Jha (@Mrityunjoykjha) August 27, 2018
A Twitter user suggested Kareena and Ranbir Kapoor (grandchildren of Raj Kapoor) should take the initiative to develop the property and keep it running:
#RKStudio sad news to hear the show will be ended soon, 2 acres property is very tough job to maintain but whn kareena and ranbir are making crores of money, y don't they develop it themselves with the name of RK
— Kiran Pandurang Etam (@EtamKiran) August 26, 2018
This Twitter user, with 1,000 followers conducted a poll to figure out the options of how to give RK Studio's a new lease of life - A Bollywood museum, an acting school, a hi-tech studio or others. Here's the result of the poll:
What do you think would be the best option to rebuild the iconic RK Studio into? #Bollywood #RKStudio
— Shreejon Biyani (@ShreejonBiyani) August 26, 2018
In case, none of the options are feasible and RK Studio must be sold, then this Twitter user requested the family to keep the "iconic sculpture" (which imitates the poster of Raj Kapoor's 1949 film Barsaat) and auction it.
@chintskap Rishi ji selling RK studio can be a good financial decision but just one request
— Sushil (@Thinkforit) August 28, 2018
Do not sell the RK studio icon sculpture
Either keep it or you can auction the sculpture and donate the proceeds to a noble cause .
Clearly Twitter, like the Kapoors, have given a fair bit of thought about selling the RK Studio.
RK Studio started a year after India gained Independence and the first film made under RK Films, headquartered in the studio was Aag, which did not perform to well at the box office but it found success a year later with Barsaat.
In the last few years, RK Studio was rented by production houses to film television shows and a few commercials.
