Mehboob Studios, Mumbai: Where Bollywood Still Breathes
🎬 Mehboob Studios, Mumbai: Where Bollywood Still Breathes
There are places in Mumbai that don’t just exist — they remember. Mehboob Studios is one of them.
Tucked away on Hill Road in Bandra West, Mehboob Studios doesn’t shout for attention. There’s no neon sign screaming “Bollywood landmark.” Yet once you step inside, you can almost feel the weight of decades — lights that once framed legends, floors that have carried stories of love, loss, rebellion, and hope.
A Vision Built on Belief
Mehboob Studios was founded in 1954 by legendary director-producer Mehboob Khan, who had already established the production banner Mehboob Productions back in 1942. He built the studio to create a dedicated production space in central Mumbai — closer than the bigger studios of that era in Goregaon and Malad — and it opened its doors while he was shooting Amar (1954).
Long before the era of glossy multiplexes and CGI-heavy productions, Mehboob Khan believed cinema should reflect real people, real emotions, and real India.
At the time, most film studios were located far from the heart of Mumbai. Mehboob Khan chose Bandra deliberately — closer to the city’s creative pulse. His aim wasn’t just to build a studio, but to create a space where storytelling could thrive without compromise.
This wasn’t a commercial factory. It was a filmmaker’s home.
From Sets to Silver Screen History
Some of Indian cinema’s most powerful moments were shaped within these walls. Mehboob Khan’s magnum opus Mother India — a film that redefined how women, sacrifice, and resilience were portrayed on screen — remains inseparable from the studio’s legacy.
Over the years, Mehboob Studios hosted productions that spanned generations. From the black-and-white era to modern Bollywood, its floors have seen:
Golden-age classics featuring icons like Dev Anand
Epic romantic dramas and socially driven films
Contemporary blockbusters and intense character-driven stories
Television shows, ad films, music videos, and creative shoots
What makes Mehboob Studios special isn’t just what was filmed there — it’s the continuity. Very few places in Mumbai can claim such an unbroken relationship with cinema across decades.
Survival, Fire & Reinvention
The studio’s journey hasn’t been smooth. After Mehboob Khan’s death, the responsibility of running the studio passed to his son's (Ayub, Iqbal, and Shaukat Khan. Financial pressures, changing industry dynamics, and even a major fire in 2000 tested its survival.
Many thought Mehboob Studios would fade into memory.
It didn’t.
Instead, it adapted — quietly, stubbornly. While large-scale productions shifted toward newer studios on the outskirts of the city, Mehboob Studios found relevance in its location, character, and heritage value.
Notable Films & Shoots at Mehboob Studios
Over the decades, Mehboob Studios has been home to a mix of Bollywood classics and modern films. According to verified filmographies and production sources, some major movies shot there include:
Classic era
Mother India (1957) — portions of the film shot on studio stages.
Hum Dono (1962) — early Dev Anand film.
Amrapali (1966) and Sangam (1964) on the studio roster.
Later decades
Mehboob Studios Today: Still Alive, Still Creating
Today, Mehboob Studios is very much operational.
It continues to host:
Film and OTT shoots
Fashion shows and exhibitions
Cultural events and private screenings
Brand launches and creative installations
Its charm now lies in contrast — old-world cinema architecture meeting modern creative use. It’s no longer just a studio; it’s a cultural space, one that filmmakers and artists return to when they want authenticity rather than polish.
At the same time, discussions about redevelopment and land use have surfaced over the years, sparking debates around heritage preservation versus urban expansion. This tension only adds to the studio’s story — a reminder that even legends must fight to survive in a fast-changing city.
Why Mehboob Studios Still Matters
In an industry obsessed with what’s next, Mehboob Studios stands as a quiet reminder of why cinema began in the first place — to tell human stories.
It doesn’t try to compete with modern studios.
It doesn’t need to.
Its value lies in memory, resilience, and relevance — a place where the past hasn’t been erased, only layered.
And perhaps that’s why it continues to attract filmmakers, dreamers, and visitors alike.
Some Pictures
Disclaimer:
This blog is written for informational and personal storytelling purposes. All film titles, studio names, and related references remain the property of their respective copyright holders. Historical details are based on publicly available information and personal interpretation. No copyright infringement is intended.
