‘Pyaar Hua Ikraar Hua’: Iconic Films Shot in the RK Films Studio

In its glory days, RK Studios was a powerhouse, churning out the biggest films featuring top film stars.

Raj Kapoor on the sets of ‘Bobby’ with Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia. ‘Bobby’ was shot in the RK studio. 

(Photo Courtesy: Ritu Nanda/Harpercollins India)

One of the most iconic film studios in India, RK Studios is going up for sale shortly. From ‘Shree 420’ to ‘Mera Naam Joker’ to ‘Bobby,’ the studio – and its famed stages – have been instrumental in the history of Indian cinema. Speaking to Mumbai Mirror, Rishi Kapoor said that the family had decided to sell the studio after placing “a stone on our hearts” and that, despite efforts, it wasn’t possible to make the studio profitable again. He said,

“For a while, we did juggle with the idea of renovating the place with state-of-the-art technology. However, in reality it isn’t always possible for a phoenix to rise from the ashes.”

However, in its glory days, RK Studios was a powerhouse, churning out the biggest films under its banner, with the film stars descending on its plot of few hundred acres in Chembur.

An institution by itself, here are some unforgettable films which were shot in the studio.

1. Awara (1951)

Ever seen a dream sequence in a Hindi film and wondered at the concept – either in frustration or in awe? You have ‘Awara’, directed by Raj Kapoor, and released in 1951 to thank for. The dream sequence in the film was shot in RK Studios and set the template for future ‘dream sequences’ in Hindi cinema. Right down to the curved stairs with smoke billowing out from underneath.

2. Shree 420 (1955)

Standing in the rain with a beloved has never been as romantic as in ‘Shree 420’, where Raj Kapoor and Nargis set the screen on fire with the song ‘Pyaar hua ikraar hua.’ The song, with the lamp post and the street in the background, was shot in RK studios.

3. Mera Naam Joker (1970)

In 2017, a fire gutted portions of RK Studio. Among the notable film memorabilia whih was lost, was Raj Kapoor’s clown mask from the film ‘Mera Naam Joker’.

Ironically, it was this magnum opus, which had led to RK Studios being mortgaged. ‘Mera Naam Joker’ was not well-received upon its release and the commercial failure of the film forced Raj Kapoor to mortgage the studio. This story has a happy ending though. The studio’s mortgage was paid with the success of ‘Bobby’ a few years later – a teen romance which incidentally was also Rishi Kapoor’s debut film.

RK Studio after the fire mishap in 2017.

4. Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)

RK Studios wasn’t only used to shoot films produced under the banner of RK Films. The spacious studio, with its prime location in Chembur, was a favourite for many directors Including the maverick Manmohan Desai. Desai’s ‘national integration’ film ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’ is a fan favourite whether for film students, directors or the common film viewer. The film was shot in RK studios, with Desai at one point, “booking four floors of the studio” to shoot the film. Including this famous scene featuring a drunk Amitabh Bachchan.

5. Karz (1980)

No, not the one with Himesh Reshammiya. Much before Reshammiya took off his cap in ‘Karzz’, Rishi Kapoor danced around in a disco with groovy lights in the original reincarnation drama ‘Karz’ released in 1980. The song sequence ‘Om Shanti Om’ – with its trendsetting revolving stage – was reportedly shot in RK studio.