Maharashtra to Set Up Company for World-Class Media Hub in Malad: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai, June 2026 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday approved the formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) jointly by the Maharashtra government and Prasar Bharati for the development of a world-class Integrated Film and Television Media Hub on the land owned by Akashvani (Prasar Bharati) in Malad, Mumbai.

The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister at his official residence, Varsha, to review the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Prasar Bharati. The meeting was attended by Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, Prasar Bharati Chief Executive Officer Gaurav Dwivedi, and senior officials from the Maharashtra Film, Stage and Cultural Development Corporation and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).

Fadnavis said that the site is currently subject to No Development Zone (NDZ) and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) restrictions, limiting the extent of development that can take place. He noted that comprehensive development of the project would require statutory approvals, regulatory modifications, and amendments to development control regulations. The state government, he assured, would provide all necessary support to facilitate the project.

To accelerate implementation, the Chief Minister directed that a consultant be appointed to undertake a pre-feasibility study and prepare a detailed action plan for strengthening infrastructure associated with the project. He also instructed the formation of a joint working committee comprising officials from all participating agencies to expedite the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and address technical requirements.

Fadnavis further directed that all project components and the overall development blueprint be finalised by the end of June.

Of the total 278-acre land parcel owned by Prasar Bharati in Malad, approximately 150 acres are proposed to be jointly developed along with the existing Film City infrastructure. A Memorandum of Understanding for the project had earlier been signed between Prasar Bharati, MIDC, and the Maharashtra Film, Stage and Cultural Development Corporation.

Officials noted that as a majority of Akashvani’s broadcasting operations are being shifted to FM-based systems, the available land can now be effectively utilised to expand Mumbai’s media and entertainment ecosystem.

The proposed media hub will feature state-of-the-art film studios, advanced sound stages, hospitality infrastructure, IT and IT-enabled services facilities, tourism-related projects, and international-standard training centres for film and music education.

The government also plans to collaborate with leading international educational institutions to establish specialised training and skill-development programmes, aiming to position Mumbai as a global centre for media, entertainment, and creative industries.

The initiative is expected to significantly boost investment, employment generation, and innovation in Maharashtra’s media and entertainment sector while strengthening the state’s position as India’s leading film and television production hub.