Filmmaker Boney Kapoor’s ambitious Film City project in Sector 21 along the Yamuna Expressway has reached a critical milestone, with the detailed building layout officially submitted for approval to the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (Yeida).
This marks a decisive step forward for the mega media infrastructure project, which had been awaiting regulatory clearance before physical construction could commence.The submission comes nearly a year after Kapoor’s Bayview Bhutani Film City Private Limited signed the concession agreement with Yeida on 27 June 2024. Under the terms of this agreement, construction on the core film infrastructure—studios, sound stages, and a dedicated film institute—must begin within one year and be completed within three years. Failure to comply would attract a steep daily penalty of ₹1.5 lakh.
According to Yeida officials, the newly submitted layout includes a wide array of creative and support infrastructure. Apart from the mandatory core facilities, the plan envisions a grand convention centre, a cinema museum, a specialised underwater shooting studio, and a film festival district with guest houses and auditoriums. The proposal also features residential accommodation for artists, landscaped open spaces, compact studio blocks, and large-format sound stages.Yeida had earlier made it clear that no ground-breaking ceremony or civil work could commence until the layout had been officially approved. The authority also insisted on no-objection certificates (NOCs) for parking, landscaping, and horticulture plans in accordance with their urban building bylaws. Officials reaffirmed that approvals will only be granted for components that align strictly with the terms of the concession agreement.
Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Yeida, Kapoor reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the project remains aligned with the state’s vision of a sustainable, culturally vibrant, and economically inclusive development. He also discussed potential dates for the foundation laying event, which is expected to be finalised in coordination with the Uttar Pradesh government.The 230-acre Film City project has been divided into two key zones—155 acres earmarked exclusively for the film industry and 75 acres allocated for commercial use. The core film zone will house the production studios, post-production units, and associated creative infrastructure across four campuses. Meanwhile, the commercial zone will host offices, retail spaces, and entertainment complexes, creating a hybrid ecosystem that balances cinematic creativity with economic viability.
According to Bhutani Infrastructure CEO Ashish Bhutani, the company is eager to begin construction as soon as approvals are granted. “We submitted the building layout two days ago and are hopeful of a timely clearance. All components have been designed in line with Yeida’s guidelines,” he stated.The project, once completed, is expected to create around 500,000 jobs—both directly and indirectly—offering a significant boost to Uttar Pradesh’s creative economy. It also aims to establish Greater Noida as a modern production hub that complements rather than competes with existing film cities in Mumbai and Hyderabad.
Yeida CEO Arun Vir Singh confirmed that any deviations from the approved layout would not be tolerated. “Only what complies with the agreement will be sanctioned. The project must proceed in phases, with proper documentation at each step,” he said.As approvals near and timelines tighten, the Film City project is quickly transforming from a concept on paper into a potential centrepiece of India’s creative and cultural landscape.
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