MUMBAI: Government-owned Film City Studio has roped in art director Nitin Chandrakant Desai to design a masterplan for there development of the studio at Goregaon.

"We had floated a global tender and his company had also filled it. He will be designing the masterplan for the redevelopment of the studio, which will soon be underway," Film City managing director Shyam Tagde has reportedly said.

Earlier, the film studio had initiated bids from various companies after which some were shortlisted. Among them were Philadelphia-based company Burt Hill, Matt MacDonald, Design Group India, PDA Architects Pvt Ltd, Madhav Consultants Ltd, Nitin Desai‘s Art World Pvt Ltd and Virendra Khanna and Associates.

Further, Desai‘s company was zeroed in and has been asked to start work immediately. The entire facelift of the studio will take place in five stages.

The new-look Film City will include an amusement park, where tourists coming to Mumbai will understand the real essence of the film industry. The changes at Film City will be implemented keeping in mind the convenience of film-makers and entertainment of the tourists.

The revamped film studio will also be opened to tourists. Currently, no tourists are allowed to visit the studio. "Now we intend to follow the functioning of international studios and demarcate areas as tourist zones."

Film City already has about 16 indoor sets and 40 outdoor locations, including Josh Maidan, Khandala Ghat, Kaalia Maidan, Farishte Maidan, Helipad, Garden, Temple and an artificial lake among many other sets.