The UK-based Pinewood Studios is planning to set up a 20-acre facility in Kandivili, suburban Mumbai. The studio, associated with a number of blockbuster James Bond movies, is likely to invest about Rs 500 crore for the venture.

A modern film studio, along with facilities for tourists to view live shootings, has been planned at the site. Pinewood has roped in Indian conglomerate Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) for the project.

Satish Soni, Joint Managing Director of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, told Business Line that the State Government is ready to provide a mega project status to the studio, which will enable it to receive a number of sops from the Tourism Policy of Maharashtra. The studio will provide employment to around 700 persons, he said.

Along with the film studio, a museum, a theme park and a drama school has also been planned at the facility.

Soni pointed out that the 20-acre land parcel belonged to M&M, but the land was part of a designated no-development zone.

The Tourism Policy permits the land to be converted for tourism development activities. “Therefore, we have asked M&M to get the necessary clearances from the Urban Development Department,” he said.

He said senior company officials of Pinewood, including Ivan Dunleavy, CEO, have already met Maharashtra Chief Secretary Jayant Kumar Banthia and Tourism Minister Chaggan Bhujbal, and are keen to take the project ahead.

>rahul.wadke@thehindu.co.in