Sprawling studio floors, entertainment and gaming zones, exhibition centres chronicling history of Malayalam cinema, state-of-the-art screening facilities and virtual production studio figure among the key facilities under consideration at the Keralam government’s proposed J. C. Daniel international film city in Ernakulam.
Three revenue land sites have been shortlisted in the district for the project that was announced for Malayalam cinema under the Revised State Budget for 2026-27 presented by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, who also holds the Finance portfolio, on June 19, 2026. Work on the international film city project, which envisages a one-stop destination for film shooting, is expected to commence within six months, according to government sources.
The Department of Culture has initiated informal talks with senior actors, filmmakers and production designers among others on the major infra facilities to be set up at the film city that would be rolled out under a public-private partnership model.
“The lack of adequate studio floors of varying sizes is a major hurdle faced by the Malayalam cinema. Our idea is to offer the best of requirements based on the feedback from the stakeholders,” P. Vishnunadh, Minister for Culture and Cinema, told The Hindu.
Other proposals
Some of the other proposals to be included in the draft project plan include state-of-the-art screening facilities, pre and post-production studios, an exhibition centre showcasing the history of international and national cinema, gaming and entertainment zone, and space for holding film previews, audio and trailer launch.
Mr. Vishnunadh said that the film city has been planned not only for film-related activities alone, but as a venue that would remain active round-the-year. “The government intends to utilise the space as a revenue-generating model as various facilities, which are expensive outside, could be offered on reasonable rates to the industry at the film city,” he said.
In the second phase of the ongoing talks, discussions would be held on how to come up with a design in tune with the best of such film city models available in the country and abroad. The tender proceedings will begin after finalisation of the detailed project report and design.
The industry representatives have suggested that having best of infra requirements at the film city in tune with the emerging trends in cinema would be of much help to the industry. B. Rakesh, president of the Kerala Film Producers’ Association, said that producers are now spending around ₹1-1.5 lakh daily as rent for availing studio floors of varying sizes in Kochi. “The availability of such facilities at subsidised rates at the film city would reduce the soaring budgets of Malayalam movies,” he said.
Published – September 07, 2026 12:48 pm IST
