A major fire broke out in the iconic R K Films and Studios in Chembur in Mumbai yesterday, officials said.
At least 11 fire tenders and ambulances rushed to the sprawling studio in north-east Mumbai and brought the blaze under control after an hour.
Rishi Kapoor, son of the studio’s founder, the legendary Raj Kapoor, tweeted: “Sad. A major fire broke out at R K Studios. We have lost the iconic Stage 1. Thankfully no casualties, nor injuries. All your concerns appreciated.”
The blaze gutted one of the main shooting venues - the set of dance reality TV show Super Dancer Season 2.
But at the time of the incident there was no shooting.
The fire was confined to electrical wiring and installations on an 800sq ft ground floor area of the 70-year old studio.
A source from the set of the Sony Entertainment Television channel show said: “No one was present on the set when the studio caught fire. There is no casualty or injuries whatsoever. The cost of damage is not ascertained yet.”
The source added that the last shooting at the location took place last week, and the next shoot was scheduled for September 29 or 30.
The second season of the show, which will feature actress Shilpa Shetty, ace choreographer Geeta Kapur and filmmaker Anurag Basu as judges, is slated to go on air on September 30. Its promos are already on air.
The source added that the audition episodes have already been shot.
“The fire accident will not delay the show, and its premiere date will remain the same,” the source said.
R K Studios, the headquarters of the film production company R K Films, was founded and named after Raj Kapoor in 1948.
Its inaugural banner film Aag that year crashed at the box office, but the next year proved to be a good omen when its production Barsaat, starring Raj Kapoor and Nargis became a super hit.
Smoke billows from the iconic R K Films and Studios in Chembur in Mumbai yesterday.
