Standard 2000 Luxury Car Factory | Movie 'Apoorva Sahodarargal'

The Standard 2000, a luxury car launched in India in April 1985, was essentially a rebadged and re-engineered version of the Rover SD1, tailored for the Indian market. Its sleek fastback design and premium appeal made it stand out as one of the most beautiful cars ever produced in the country. The Standard 2000 offered advanced features for its time, including electric windows and an optional air conditioning system.

The car was manufactured at the Standard Motors factory in Madras (now Chennai), with a planned capacity of 16 units per day—equivalent to about 4,000 cars per year. Unfortunately, this ambitious target was never achieved during its short production span. The vehicle's high price, combined with poor fuel efficiency and a changing market landscape, contributed to its commercial struggles. The factory’s closure marked the end of Standard Motors' operations, leading to legal disputes and financial troubles.

In the 1989 Tamil movie 'Apoorva Sahodarargal', starring Kamal Haasan, a song was filmed inside the closed factory. The scene featured many Standard 2000s in different colors, along with a few Standard 20 vans.

Interestingly, this was after the factory had shut down and while it was entangled in ongoing legal disputes. Sources suggest that despite the legal hurdles, the filmmakers were able to use the location for filming, capturing a glimpse of the once-thriving facility.

Despite its brief production run and eventual decline, the Standard 2000 remains a beloved classic.