The ambitious International Film City project in Uttar Pradesh is gaining momentum, with construction slated to begin by June 2025. This project, a dream of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, aims to establish Uttar Pradesh as a major hub for film production, media, entertainment, and tourism.
Filmmaker Boney Kapoor, whose company Bayview Projects LLP won the bid to develop the Film City, has been actively involved in the project. He recently met with CM Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow to discuss the project's progress and share his vision for creating a world-class film infrastructure in Jewar, Noida. During the meeting in March 2024, CM Adityanath presented Kapoor with the 'Letter of Award', enabling him to proceed with the project's formalities. Kapoor has expressed his commitment to building the "world's best" film city, aiming to create a comprehensive ecosystem where filmmakers can arrive with a script and leave with a finished film.
The International Film City is strategically located in Sector-21 along the Yamuna Expressway, within the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) region and approximately 6km from the Noida International Airport. The project is being developed in three phases over eight years, encompassing a total area of 1,000 acres. Phase 1, covering 230 acres with an estimated cost of Rs 1,510 crore, will feature 13 to 14 modern film sound studios and a film institute spread over approximately 3 lakh square meters. The remaining 770 acres will be developed in subsequent phases.
Bayview Projects LLP, backed by real estate developer Bhutani Group, secured the project by offering the highest gross revenue share of 18% to the government. YEIDA signed a concession agreement with Kapoor in June 2024, and the right of way for the site was handed over in February 2025. The master plan for the Film City received approval in January 2025.
Currently, preparatory work is nearing completion, including land leveling, road construction, and site cleanup. A geo-technical survey of the construction site is almost finished, and the company is expected to submit its building plan soon. Construction is poised to commence once all approvals are secured, with CM Yogi Adityanath expected to lay the foundation stone. According to Rajeev Arora, GM of Bayview Projects LLP, construction will officially begin as soon as the building plan is approved. The foundation laying ceremony is expected to be held on June 26, 2025.
The UP government anticipates that the Film City project will generate 50,000 jobs and indirectly benefit 5 to 7 lakh people. The project aims to provide a platform for talented individuals, including actors, technicians, and storytellers, while also attracting investments and promoting the state's cultural heritage. The film city will include film studios, sound stages, post-production units, and a film institute. Future phases will include a commercial center with retail, offices, and entertainment complexes. The project will also feature amenities such as a runway, helipad, and themed sets.
