The Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, is the closest that people living in India can come to living their celluloid dream.
Equipped with everything needed to produce a full- length movie- starting from technology, film sets to recording studios- the Ramoji Film City is a one-stop destination for film makers who can ‘walk in with a script, and walk out with a film.’
For tourists, though, the Film City is a magical place where they are showered with stardust. It is a holiday destination with the central underlying theme of cinema – its shops, its shows, its restaurants and even alleyways – give you a distinct feel of being in a world of cinema. The entire endeavor is a conscientious effort to create a theme based holiday destination – much along the lines of the Disney World.
History
The Film City was set up in 1996 by renowned Indian film producer, Ramoji Rao. The Universal Studios in California, United States inspired the creation of this Film City. It was set up as a tribute to the magic of movie-making.
Things to do and see
1. Go on a studio tour in an open-air vintage bus: The Bus tour takes you through the Askari Garden, the Japanese Garden with a beautiful central pagoda, the Sun Fountain Garden, the symmetrical charms of the Mughal Garden, the Sanctuary Garden, which has various animals sculpted from grass, the Angel’s Fountain Garden, the sets of the cult serial Bhagavatham, and North Town, built on the lines northern Indian cities.
2. Be overwhelmed with cinematic magic at the Movie Magic Park: This Park provides you with three separate experiences that come together to transport you into a make-believe world of cinema. Your notions of romantic locales may be busted, but you get to be a movie star.
The Ramoji Towers simulates the experience of an earthquake – freefall, tremors and acoustics- everything to send you screaming. Filmy Duniya takes you through studio sets that look so real you will think you are in a foreign land in a different time zone. Action Studio, takes you through a short and fun DIY filmmaking course where you get to act as well!
3. Enjoy a walk with the birds at Wings: Ramoji Film City’s bird park will not disappoint you. Wings is a lush, verdant landscape that is home to bright colored Lory birds.
4. Take a dream walk through the exotic gardens at Eco Zone: Flit from the Bonsai Garden to the Butterfly Park to Colors Park. These beautiful gardens house a display of bonsai plants, a 7200 square-foot butterfly enclosure, and over 15000 square feet of beautiful terrace gardens.
5. Let the kids have fun at the Kid Zone: The Kids Zone is divided into many sections: a video game parlor called Dadajinn’s Ark, the Toyland which has enormous toy pots and giant corn cobs, the magician’s workshop called Borasura, where dragons abound, Thrillville rides, live performances at Enthraller Amphitheatre, the dancing fountain ballerina Fount, Presto Magic Toyshop, and a woody play zone called Timberland.
6. Enjoy live shows at Eureka: Several live shows take place in the Eureka alley of Ramoji Film City. There are live street shows, stunt shows, choreographed cultural shows, magic shows, and the magnificent opening and closing ceremonies.
Nearby Attractions
A bustling city like Hyderabad has plenty of nearby attractions difficult to miss. To name a few, Hyderabad’s signature monument Char Minar, the Mecca Masjid, Golconda Fort, Nehru Zoological Park, AP State Archeological Museum, Hyderabad Botanical Gardens, Venkateshwara Temple, Shamirpet Deer Park and Jurassic Park.
Where is Ramoji Film City?
Ramoji Film City is in Anaspur Village, Hayathnagar Mandal, Hyderabad, Telangana.
How to Reach?
By Air:The nearest international airport is the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. It will take 47 minutes via ORR to reach the Film City from the airport by a cab.
By Train: From the MMTS Station in Hyderabad, a cab will take a visitor to Ramoji Film City in 1 hour 16 minutes.
By Road: It is well connected to the neighboring city of Hyderabad and other parts of the state through an extensive road network.
Accommodations
The Film City has its own chain of hotels for visitors to stay and enjoy their time there. Hotel Tara, Hotel Sitara, Hotel Sahara, Hotel Dolphin and Hotel Shantiniketan are the premier accommodations within the Ramoji Film City.
Restaurants
Some of the best and finest restaurants in and near Ramoji Film City include Mallus Restaurant, Hotel Restaurant Suhani, Iyengars Bakery, Abhimanyu Bar & Restaurant, Surabhi Multicuisine Restaurant, US Pizza, Ibaco, Swagat Restaurant & Bar, Cafe Nandini and Hazzel Ice Cream Cafe.
Best Time to visit
The cooler months from October to February are ideal to visit.
Things to Remember
For overnight stays, Ramoji Film City offers Blockbuster packages and special Honeymoon Packages.
Visitors can either choose to take a single day trip or opt for a complete holiday package and stay overnight at one of the resorts within the City.
For day visits, two types of packages are offered – a General Package and a Ramoji Star Experience:
General Package: Rs. 900 (Adult) Rs. 800 (Child)
Ramoji Star Experience: Rs. 1900 (Adult) Rs. 1599 (Child)
For overnight stays, Ramoji Film City offers Blockbuster packages and special Honeymoon Packages.
The Park remains open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Facts about Ramoji Film City
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Awards won by Ramoji Film City include a certificate by Guinness Book of World Records for being the world’s largest film city complex (2000 acres), the Golden Pony Award for Excellence and innovation (2007), and the Department of Tourism Award for Excellence 2013.
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Movies in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi and Bengali and international films have been produced at Ramoji Film City.
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Ramoji Film City also holds corporate events and weddings.
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It is considered one of the seven wonders of Hyderabad.
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It has replicas of many popular destinations: the Taj Mahal, Hawa Mahal, Western Street, and Mughal Gardens.
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It is often referred to as the ‘Disneyland of India.’
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The Film City houses a Butterfly Park (7200 sq. ft.) and terrace gardens (over 15000 sq. ft.).
Image credits : Vinayaraj