Ajit Pawar had approved the transfer of 47 hectares of land at Igatpuri in Nashik to set up a new film city on the lines of Mumbai Film City. The project was aimed at expanding Maharashtra’s film infrastructure and easing pressure on the state’s existing studios.
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Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has passed away in a plane crash near Baramati Airport near Pune district. Pawar’s death leaves a void in the state’s leadership. Among the many initiatives he championed, one particularly ambitious project was new film city in Nashik district.
Back in October 2025, Pawar had spearheaded plan to create sprawling film city in Igatpuri, about 150 km from Mumbai. The proposal aimed to give Maharashtra some fresh cinematic hub rivaling other states that were actively wooing filmmakers.
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In a decisive move, Pawar directed the state revenue department to transfer 47 hectares of prime land in Mundhegaon, Igatpuri to the cultural affairs department to kickstart the project.
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The film city wouldn’t just host studios and sets. It would include an amusement park inspired by Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City. “The amusement park is crucial,” Pawar reportedly said. “It will make the project commercially viable while also boosting tourism.”
Ajit Pawar was a towering presence in Maharashtra’s political landscape, shaping the state’s power corridors for over four decades. Known for his sharp political acumen and administrative authority, he served as Maharashtra’s longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister, leaving an… pic.twitter.com/7IJ9OrxGRo
— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) January 28, 2026
Officials explained that Igatpuri was chosen after years of deliberation. Three locations had been considered, but Igatpuri’s scenic landscapes and proximity to the Samruddhi Expressway made it ideal for filmmakers and visitors alike.
Pawar believed that such a hub could attract not only Bollywood shoots but also regional cinema, creating a ripple effect for hotels, transport, and local businesses.
Ajit Pawar’s vision didn’t stop at Nashik. Cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar mentioned that a second film city was being planned near Nagpur at Ramtek.
Maharashtra needed modern film infrastructure to meet the growing demand from television and digital content creators.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari, Mumbai’s own iconic film city, has been the backbone of India’s film industry since 1977.
Spread across 211 hectares, it houses studios, outdoor shooting locations, post-production facilities. However, decades of overuse have left it under pressure.
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