Mumbai Film City Shooting Guide: 2026 Studio Rates, Locations and Booking

For producers who want indoor stages, outdoor landscapes and established production services within Mumbai, Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari—popularly called Mumbai Film City—remains one of India’s most important production destinations.

The government-managed complex in Goregaon has hosted films, television serials, advertisements, albums and web productions for decades. Its combination of air-conditioned stages, permanent sets, forests, lakes, roads, valleys and open grounds gives filmmakers several visual environments without leaving Mumbai.

Unlike many privately operated studios, Film City publishes an official rate chart. This makes preliminary budgeting easier, although electricity, air-conditioning, make-up rooms, water, security and other ancillary services may be charged separately.

Location and Accessibility

Mumbai Film City is situated at:

Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari
Goregaon East, Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400065

The complex is close to the Aarey and Sanjay Gandhi National Park green belts. Goregaon railway station, the Western Express Highway and the western suburbs’ production offices provide useful connectivity, but Mumbai traffic can significantly affect travel times.

For crews carrying equipment, production vehicles should be scheduled with sufficient buffer time. Producers must also confirm which gate should be used, vehicle-document requirements, material-entry procedures and whether a separate gate pass is necessary for equipment.

The location is convenient for production companies already operating from Goregaon, Andheri, Malad, Jogeshwari and nearby media districts. Mumbai airport and major hotels in the western suburbs are also reasonably accessible, subject to traffic.

Studios and Shooting Floors

Film City’s studio catalogue includes 16 numbered stages. Its official studio page describes air-conditioned, acoustically insulated and Wi-Fi-ready stages suitable for elaborate sets, television programmes, talk shows, game shows and multi-set productions.

The published 2025–26 rate chart lists stages ranging from approximately 2,000 square feet to 14,060 square feet. However, some numbered studios have lease-related restrictions, and the main website currently highlights eight studios as available for shooting. Producers must therefore check live availability rather than relying only on the catalogue.

Selected official studio rates are:

These figures come from the corporation’s rate chart effective 1 October 2025. Its terms state that normal studio and outdoor-location hiring charges apply for 24 hours. An eight-hour booking is available at 75% of the applicable hiring charge.

The website also says rates will increase by 5% annually. Since another escalation may take effect from 1 October 2026, productions shooting after that date should request the revised tariff before budgeting. Consult the official studios catalogue and official rate chart.

Outdoor Locations and Ready-Made Settings

Film City advertises 72 outdoor shooting locations, while its expanded published tariff presently identifies more than 70 individual chargeable areas. Available visual environments include:

• Forests and natural greenery
• Lake roads and waterside areas
• Hills, valleys and ghat-like roads
• Helipad and elevated viewpoints
• Village houses and wada-style settings
• Temple and church/chawl areas
• Police-station and hospital locations
• Large maidans for constructed sets
• Roads, building complexes and car-parking areas
• Dhaba, canteen and administrative settings

Selected published outdoor rates include:

Outdoor locations are particularly useful for television serials, music videos, advertisements and films requiring greenery or large set-construction areas within Mumbai.

Availability can change daily. Certain areas may be partially available, occupied by long-running productions or restricted for operational reasons. The official outdoor-location directory should be used for shortlisting, followed by a physical recce.

Other Facilities

The official website lists:

• In-house stores for shooting and set materials
• Film-processing and post-production facilities
• 52 make-up rooms
• 12 overnight rooms
• 12 dressing rooms
• Electricity and water connections
• Air-conditioning for applicable studios
• Private security arrangements
• Spaces for set erection and dismantling
• Independent studio and post-production businesses within the complex

These facilities are not automatically included in the basic location rent. The terms require hirers to obtain requisition slips from the relevant departments and pay applicable charges separately.

Productions should ask for written prices covering electricity consumption, AC operation, make-up rooms, water, security, overnight use, waste removal and any material hired from departmental stores.

Productions Best Suited to Mumbai Film City

The complex is suitable for:

• Hindi and regional feature films
• Daily television serials
• Web series and streaming productions
• Advertising films
• Music albums and dance sequences
• Reality, game and talk shows
• Short films
• Large constructed sets
• Productions requiring forests or open grounds within Mumbai
• Projects needing multiple indoor and outdoor environments

Very small productions may find independent studios more economical once ancillary charges are included. Film City is most valuable when its location variety, stage capacity or proximity to Mumbai’s film workforce offsets the administrative and service costs.

Rental Conditions, Taxes and Additional Charges

The published rates should not be treated as all-inclusive.

Important official conditions include:

• Studio and outdoor rates normally cover a 24-hour hiring period.
• An eight-hour booking costs 75% of the full hiring charge.
• Using another location for up to four hours, with permission, attracts 50% of its daily hire; more than four hours attracts the full charge.
• Electricity, air-conditioning, water, make-up rooms and security are charged separately.
• Government taxes, including applicable GST, are additional.
• Set erection and dismantling are charged at 50% of rent for up to two days on each side; full rent applies from the third day.
• Locations or studios booked for an event attract double rent.
• Extensions are allowed only at the corporation’s discretion.
• Extra space outside the booked studio floor requires permission and additional payment.

The producer should request an itemised cost sheet instead of calculating the budget from rent alone.

Deposits, Advance Payment and Cancellation

For bookings shorter than one year, the published terms call for an advance of 50% of the estimated rental and ancillary charges. The remaining payment is due as specified for the balance of the stay.

For one-year package bookings, the terms mention a 25% security deposit, 20% advance of annual rent and a ₹80,000 water-connection deposit, along with applicable ancillary charges.

The main cancellation schedule states:

• Ten days’ written notice: 10% of the total reservation charge
• Five to ten days’ written notice: 25%
• Five days’ written notice: 50%

Another preliminary condition in the document refers to forfeiture of 50% of advance rent when cancellation is made with a minimum of five days’ notice. Because these clauses could be interpreted differently, the booking office should provide written confirmation of the exact cancellation liability applicable to the selected booking.

Read the complete official booking terms and conditions before paying.

Concessions for Marathi Productions

The published terms provide notable concessions:

• A 50% rental concession for Marathi films, television series, music albums and short films, subject to the stated conditions
• A 25% rental discount for Marathi non-fiction programmes, including reality, game and dance shows

Eligibility, documentary proof, duration and application procedure should be confirmed with the booking office. The discount may apply to base rent rather than electricity, AC, security and other services.

Booking and Permission Procedure

Film City uses an official online booking portal. A production company should:

1. Create a customer registration.
2. Submit company and authorised-person details.
3. Select the required studio or outdoor location.
4. Upload the documents requested by the portal.
5. Provide production dates and intended use.
6. Request a recce before final selection.
7. Obtain availability and cost confirmation.
8. Pay the prescribed advance and ancillary deposits.
9. Collect the official permit card.
10. Carry the permit card during the booking period.

The corporation states that bookings are offered on an “as is where is” and first-come-first-served basis. Producers should inspect the site before payment and document the existing condition.

The Maharashtra Film Cell provides a single-window permission portal for applicable filming approvals. Activities involving drones, fire, weapons, pyrotechnics, animals, road control, foreign artists or specialised stunts may require additional permissions. Foreign artists must have the appropriate government approvals and passport documentation.

Verified Contact Information

Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corporation Limited
Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari, Goregaon East, Mumbai – 400065

Board: +91 22 6930 9800
Booking office: +91 22 6930 9810
Booking mobile: +91 77388 26186
Email: contact.filmcell@maharashtra.gov.in
Official website: Film City Mumbai
Booking portal: Online location booking

These details were verified from the official contact page.

Accommodation and Transport Notes

Film City is surrounded by Goregaon, Powai, Malad, Andheri and Jogeshwari, which offer accommodation across business, premium and budget categories. Producers should select hotels based on the actual entry gate and expected call time rather than distance alone.

For large units, arrange crew buses and equipment vehicles separately. Obtain driver passes, vehicle lists and material inventories in advance. The official terms require gate passes for removing production equipment and other materials from the premises.

Practical Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

• Government-published base rates
• Indoor stages and outdoor locations in one complex
• Established booking and permit system
• Large green areas within Mumbai
• Make-up, dressing and set-support facilities
• Concessions for eligible Marathi productions
• Access to Mumbai’s technicians, actors and suppliers

Limitations

• Basic rent excludes several essential services
• Location availability changes frequently
• Advance paperwork and permits are necessary
• Some studios have lease or availability restrictions
• Mumbai traffic can disrupt crew movement
• Published terms contain clauses requiring written clarification

Producer’s Checklist

• Company registration and authorised-person documents
• Script, synopsis and shoot description
• Studio dimensions and location photographs
• Recce approval and alternative location
• Cast, crew and vehicle lists
• Equipment and material inventory
• Power, AC and water requirements
• Set construction and dismantling days
• Make-up and dressing-room requirements
• Insurance, safety and fire documentation
• Special permissions for drones, stunts or foreign artists
• Written tax and ancillary-charge calculation
• Cancellation and rescheduling confirmation
• Permit card and gate passes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the lowest listed studio rate?

Studios 14 and 15 are listed at ₹21,000 for a normal hiring period, subject to availability, taxes and ancillary charges.

Are outdoor locations cheaper than studios?

Many outdoor areas start at ₹24,255 per day excluding GST, but the final cost depends on facilities, electricity, security and set requirements.

Can a location be hired for eight hours?

Yes. The official terms state that an eight-hour booking costs 75% of the normal hiring charge.

Is there a discount for Marathi productions?

Eligible Marathi films, serials, music albums and short films may receive a 50% rent concession. Certain Marathi non-fiction programmes may receive 25%.

Can Film City be booked for a stage event?

An event may be permitted, but the official tariff states that double rent applies when a studio or location is booked for an event.

Does online registration guarantee the location?

No. Registration and application do not replace final confirmation from the studio department, payment and issue of the permit card.

Accuracy Disclaimer

Rates and contacts were checked against official Film City Mumbai sources on 19 September 2026. The displayed tariff took effect on 1 October 2025, and the website states that rates increase by 5% annually. Producers planning shoots on or after 1 October 2026 should obtain the next revised tariff. Availability, taxes, concessions and ancillary charges must be confirmed in writing before payment.