MUMBAI: Bollywood`s landmark Kamalistan studio, where a slew of pathbreaking films like Razia Sultan, Amar Akbar Anthony and Kaalia were shot over the decades, will finally slip out of the control of its owners—the three children of late filmmaker Kamaal Amrohi, who built the studio in 1958.TOI has learned that the over 15-acre property in Jogeshwari (East) has been acquired by three developers—Pune-based builder Avinash Bhosale, construction firm DB Realty and the Luthrias, who once owned Bandra`s erstwhile Sea Rock Hotel. The stakes acquired by these three parties collectively amount to about Rs 200 crore, although market sources say the worth of this prime land is at least Rs 500 crore, considering its strategic location—near Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road.Since 2008, the siblings, Tajdar, Shandar and their sister Rukshar Amrohi, have openly squabbled over their father`s land. The matter finally landed up in the Bombay high court early this year. Said Rukhsar, “If not for the family dispute, the property would have fetched us nothing less than Rs 500 crore. But I guess we had no choice.“ The three siblings are directors of Mahal Pictures Private Ltd, the company that owns the studio founded by their famous father, who directed hits like Mahal and Pakeezah.
In a glamorous twist to the controversy, one of the brothers, Shandar, had declared that he had adopted actor Preity Zinta as his daughter and that he would pledge his share of the property to her. Avinash Bhosale, known to be well connected in government circles, told TOI that he had paid Rs 60 crore to Rukshar and her son Waseem for their one-third share of the property. D B Realty is believed to have shelled out close to Rs 100 crore for Tajdar Amrohi`s share. And eldest brother Shandar had already entered into an agreement with the Luthrias a couple of years ago for about Rs 40 crore. – Timesofindia
