Ramoji Film City Hyderabad – Tourist Places to visit in Hyderabad
The city of Hyderabad is a blessed one indeed. Rarely do we come across other such cities which are centers of art, culture, religion, multi-ethnicity, IT and technology, like Hyderabad is, all at once.
Add to this, being home to the world’s largest film studio complex- RAMOJI FILM CITY Hyderabad.
Ramoji Film City Hyderabad is a director’s dream. It is our very own answer to Universal Studios, Hollywood. As they say, at Ramoji, one can- Walk in with a script, walk out with a film. The film studio complex, spread out over an area of 1666 acres has made it to the Guinnes Book of World Record for the record mentioned.The massive film city houses sets of an infinite variety and unimaginable kinds; there are old palaces, generally used for mythological and historical sets; modern airports, railway stations, hospitals, several kinds of gardens and fountains, hills, vales, buildings, a Hawa Mahal model, miniature Golconda, a nursery, etc.
Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City took 6 years to be built and was inaugurated in 1996. Built by Indian filmmaker Ramoji Rao, he named it after himself. Over 80 films have been shot in RFC in languages like Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malyalam, Bangla, Marathi and Kannada. Regularly, Indian television shows are also filmed in Ramoji.
For a visit to the Ramoji Film City Hyderabad, start out early. The Film city lies a good 50 kms outside of Hyderabad. Be sure to reach by 9:30, as that is when the Opening Ceremony starts, which is usually missed because of unawareness about the early timing, by people. Tickets of 2 types are available. Take the non-expensive, non AC buses tickets, as anyway, travelling buses is minimal. And the doubled cost of the other ticket, that includes food doesn’t compensate with the add ons. Don’t carry your own food; it isn’t allowed inside. Make sure you have your caps and sunglasses for the Hyderabad Sun. A common attraction at RFC is the different number of gardens there. The guide says there are 124 (though this figure certainly is a little exaggerated). Mughal gardens of Delhi, Shell Gardens, Arizona style Cactus Garden, Thinking man’s garden and Japanese Park are some of the many. These parks are designed to be backgrounds for showing filming in international locales. It’s better not to spend much time in these parks if you want to cover the entire film city. If you’re a relaxed traveler and won’t mind a second trip to Ramoji to cover the missed half, or are a much-in-love Honeymoon couple, go ahead, the parks all are yours.
Various tree lined sidewalks are used as institutional sets, usually. There are highways, where one change of the milestone you want transports heroes and heroines on screen to distant locations, seated right there in the RFC, Hyderabad. A set of Buddhist caves draws attention and is an interesting one where idols come out from the walls of the caves to dance. Village scenes, Market scenes, City scenes, Hospital, Railway, Airport scenes..there are a variety of scenes that can be shot in the Ramoji Film City.
There is a set of a Palace for mythological films, which looks like it has come right out of the epic Ramayana.
Besides these highly interesting sets, informative, educational and interesting shows are also shown. The Action show – Wild Wild West tells about the technicalities followed in the making of an action scene, while picking out volunteers from the audience. Fundustan, Wonderville etc. are sections children will enjoy going to.
A simulation ride of an Aircraft, Meena Bazaar at Alampana, some free and some paid rides are other attractions. Ramoji Film City also hires out some of its sets to enthusiastic young people who want to get married, Bolly-style.
As a film studio, RFC is reputed for being a studio comprising of a disciplined team. While a shoot in Mumbai usually does not start before 11:00 am, it probably will start at 7:30 am, in Ramoji Film City.
A trip to Ramoji Film City can prove to be a day long trip into a magical world. For a small section, it may be a spoiler to discover the world of films is so made up and fake.Anyhow, it doesn’t hurt to discover interesting facts about behind-the-scenes and to roam in beautiful locations, fake even.
As part of Hyderabad Tourism special tours, there are many private travels in Hyderabad who offer exclusive Ramoji Film City tour packages for families and couples. Some of the Ramoji FIlm City tour packages also include special dinner.
Distance to Ramoji Film City:
– 41 Kms from Secunderabad Railway Station (100-120 min drive by car)
– 28 Kms from MGBS Bus Stop, Hyderabad ( 90-100 min drive by car)
Buses to Ramoji Film City:
– Buses from Secunderabad – 8A-100R-204U, 8C-158L-204U, 290-204U, 40-204U, 290-204U etc.
– Buses from MGBS Bus Stop, Hyderabad – 204U is the direct bus
Location : Hayathnagar Mandal, Rangareddi district.
Ramoji Film City Timings:
– For ticket booking: 9:00 AM to 2:00PM
– For Tour Timings – 10:00 AM to 4.30 PM
Ramoji Film City Entry Fee:
– Rs 600 for Adults and Rs. 500 for Children in the age 3-12 years
– For VIP Treatment, there is a Ramoji star package which costs Rs 1350 for adults and Rs. 1100 for children.
Food Facilities: A huge food court is present in Ramoji Film City Hyderabad with large number of varieties of cuisines.
Neary by Tourist Attractions:
– Sangi Temple
Address: Ramoji Film City, Hayathnagar Mandal, Rangareddi Dt
Contact Number: +91-8415246555, 09848305878, 09347342048