The much-awaited RK Studio’s Ganeshotsav began on Thursday in Mumbai where the Kapoor family welcomed the Ganpati for the last time before shutting shop on September 23. The decision of selling the iconic studio was taken by Raj Kapoor’s sons Randhir, Rishi, and Rajeev. It was an emotional decision for the trio as their legendary father had laid the foundation stone of the studio.

The grand Ganesh aarti was performed by Randhir and Rajiv as Rishi gave the celebration a miss due to the presence of Ganpati at his Pali Hill residence. Accompanying them was Vishwa Mehra better known as Mamaji, a close confidante of Raj Kapoor. He got teary-eyed as he sought blessings for the final time.

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Reportedly the primary reason behind the sale is the location inconvenience and not the major fire that broke out in the 70-year-old studio last year. Randhir confirmed the reason and told a leading daily, “It’s financially not viable for us to rebuild it because, unlike before, people barely come to RK Studios to shoot, even though it was among the best ones in the city at one time. Once in a while, a serial or reality show would be shot there. Film shootings entirely moved to the suburbs at Film City, Mehboob Studios and other locations. No actor wants to travel so far in the Eastern suburbs since most of them reside in the Western suburbs now. It was tough to maintain the studio, but it’s even more problematic to rebuild it.”

Justifying the decision of sale, Rishi further clarified to a publication, “The investment in rebuilding the Studios would just not have yielded sufficient revenue to keep it going. Believe me, we had to take the larger picture into account and take a level-headed decision. Even before the fire, for years R. K. Studios had become a huge white elephant, toting up losses. The few bookings we would get from films, TV serials and ad shoots would expect free parking space, air-conditioning and discounts.”

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Talking about the celebrations, the Kapoor Sr. informed a daily newspaper, “As long as the studios are there, the ceremony will exist, whenever we shift to another location and office premises, the annual Ganeshotsav tradition will continue. We share a divine bonding with Lord Ganesha. We were compelled to sell the studios, as we were incurring huge losses. Especially after the devastating fire that broke out at RK, it was just not economically viable to reconstruct it. Film folk were also reluctant to travel all the way to Chembur.”

While reminiscing the glorious days, Rishi recollected the glorious and happy days and told a leading daily, “There are so many wonderful memories there. So much film history, but that would be like clutching on to straws in the wind.” A heavyhearted Randhir assured fans that ‘the show will go on’ and celebrations will continue in the true RK style, just the location will be different.

The Kapoor brothers will be joined by Randhir’s children - Karisma Kapoor with daughter Samaira and son Kiaan Raj and Kareena Kapoor Khan with husband Saif Ali Khan and son Taimur. Ranbir Kapoor, who just wrapped up a three- month shooting schedule in Bulgaria for his upcoming film Brahmastra with Alia Bhatt and Amitabh Bachchan, is likely to be a part of the last phase of the festival. The extended family of the Kapoor’s including the Jain’s and the Nanda’s will hopefully join for the final visarjan.

The studio that witnessed historic films like Mera Naam Joker, Awara, Henna, Bobbby and several others will secure a golden spot in the history of Indian cinema.