Keralam govt approves J.C. Daniel film city project at Kinfra’s Petrochemicals Park in Ambalamugal

The Keralam government is learnt to have given the approval to set up the J. C. Daniel film city project at the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation’s (Kinfra) Petrochemicals Park in Ambalamugal in Kochi.Around 30 acres will be utilised for the project, which is estimated to cost about ₹100 crore. The tender proceedings for finalising the design framework of the project to be implemented in a public-private partnership mode will be initiated soon, according to sources. The government nod came after the Ernakulam district administration proposed the 30-acre land parcel in the Petrochemicals park, which is spread over a total of 481 acres, they said.The authorities had considered multiple revenue land options in the initial stage. However, the land at Ambalamugal was shortlisted in view of its better access and improved connectivity. The government had preferred Revenue land to save on the cost required for acquiring private land for the venture. The Ernakulam district administration was told to identify around 25 to 30 acres in Revenue land, including sites earmarked for industrial development.Design ideasOfficials of the Department of Culture said that the government has zeroed in on multiple design ideas for the film city project after holding discussions with various stakeholders in Malayalam cinema. Besides representatives of film bodies, senior actors, filmmakers, production designers and technicians had shared their suggestions on the facilities required at the film city, they said.The Keralam government had included the film city project in memory of J. C. Daniel, widely revered as the father of Malayalam cinema, in the Revised Budget 2026-27 presented by Chief Minister V. D Satheesan, who also holds the Finance portfolio, on June 19, 2026.Some of the facilities on the anvil at the film city include studio floors, entertainment and gaming zones, exhibition centres chronicling the history of Malayalam cinema and state-of-the-art screening facilities and virtual production studios.The government has also received suggestions to invite private investment in setting up premium hotels, pre- and post-production studios and space for holding film previews, audio and trailer launch at the film city. Published - October 28, 2026 04:19 pm IST