Aram Nagar
Aram Nagar is a neighborhood in Andheri, a suburb of Mumbai in India. It spans 20 acres and is located adjacent to Versova, in Andheri West of Mumbai. [1] There are numerous casting agencies, offices of major production houses, and advertising agencies in Aram Nagar.[2] It is referred to as the 'Silicon Valley' for India's media and entertainment industry.[3][4] The rentals in Aram Nagar are known for their affordability, and the available spaces offer flexible lease terms, making it particularly suitable for independent filmmakers operating on limited budgets.[3] HistoryDuring the World War II, this area housed a barrack of the British Indian Army. The Aram Nagar colony was utilized by the British as a training center for anti-submarine operations.[5] In 1947, the government transformed it into a transit camp to accommodate migrating populations. It provided refuge to people who had returned from Pakistan during the partition.[1] Until the year 2000, it remained a typical residential area. After the year 2000, many offices related to films opened here transforming the area into a hub for aspiring individuals in the entertainment or film industry. Over the past two decades, Aram Nagar has gained recognition as a gateway to Bollywood.[1] Independent filmmakers like Ram Gopal Varma, Sudhir Mishra, Anurag Kashyap, and Tigmanshu Dhulia established their careers from Aram Nagar.[3] In 2016, it was reported that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) undertook the demolition of more than 75 unauthorized structures within the Aram Nagar area.[6] DemographyThe area is divided into two parts, Phase-1 and Phase-2, and comprises approximately 900 houses. Around 3,000 individuals striving to establish themselves in the entertainment industry reside here. Aram Nagar is a diverse community, with residents from 10 to 12 different states across India.[1][7][8] References
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