Filmmaker Boney Kapoor and his team have submitted detailed building layout plans for the International Film City project in Sector 21. The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (Yeida) confirmed this on Monday. This information was published by Hindustan Times.
The proposed layout includes a convention center for film events. It also features a dedicated museum celebrating Indian cinema. An underwater shooting studio is part of the plan. There will be a specialized film festival district with auditoriums and guest accommodations. The plan outlines provisions for artist housing. It includes compact studio units and large sound stages as part of the core film infrastructure.
Kapoor met YEIDA officials Monday to seek formal approval of the layouts. They also discussed the date for the groundbreaking ceremony. “The ceremony will be held before June 30, 2025,” Kapoor said, noting that the date aligns with the concession agreement signed on June 27, 2024, which requires construction to begin within one year of the allotment.
The layout submission comes weeks after YEIDA stated that construction could not commence without prior approval of building designs. On May 2, the authority issued a letter to Bayview Bhutani Film City Private Limited, the concessionaire. It directed the company to first obtain approval for the core elements. These elements are namely the film studios and a film institute. This approval is required before initiating any work at the site.
“The construction must start within a year from the signing of the concession agreement,” YEIDA CEO Arun Vir Singh said. “Failure to meet the deadline will result in a penalty of ₹1.5 lakh per day until construction begins.”
YEIDA had earlier cleared the land use map for the 230-acre Phase 1. This is part of the larger 1,000-acre project near the upcoming Noida International Airport. However, the authority made it clear that construction activities cannot begin yet. The developer must secure approvals for detailed layout plans. These include mandatory no-objection certificates (NOCs) for parking, landscaping, and adherence to the building bylaws.
Ashish Bhutani, CEO of Bhutani Infrastructure Limited—the development partner in the project—said the layout maps were submitted two days ago. “We are eager to begin work and are awaiting the necessary approvals as per legal procedures,” Bhutani said. “The groundbreaking ceremony will be organized soon once the Uttar Pradesh government finalizes the date.”
Kapoor emphasized that the project will proceed strictly as per the concession terms. These terms mandate that construction of the core film infrastructure must begin first. It must be completed within three years. His comments addressed speculation that commercial components may be prioritized ahead of film-centric development.
YEIDA officials underscored that only components consistent with the concession agreement will be approved. “Any deviation from the sanctioned layout will not be accepted,” Singh said. “The developer must secure clearances for all aspects, including parking, horticulture, and landscaping, and the project must progress in clearly defined phases.”
The International Film City is a flagship project of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. It aims to transform the state into a prominent hub for film production. The project also focuses on media, tourism, and entertainment. The entire project spans 1,000 acres, with an estimated investment of ₹1,510 crore over eight years for Phase 1.
Of the 230 acres allocated for the first phase, 155 acres are reserved for film industry infrastructure. This includes production studios, sound stages, post-production units, and the proposed film institute. This area will be divided into four distinct campuses. A commercial district comprising 75 acres will feature retail centers, office buildings, and entertainment zones.
Officials estimate that the project will generate around 500,000 direct and indirect jobs. This will significantly contribute to the economic development of the region.