KG Road in Gandhinagar probably had the most number of movie theatres per square mile until a few years ago. Even now, filmmakers are quite superstitious about releasing their film in one of the theatres here, which is usually considered as ‘the main theatre’. But now, with the area coming under the influence of development, many theatres are downing shutters to be renovated or converted into multiplexes.
But unlike a city or a market place losing its old world charm, losing theatres in the name of development seems to be met with much appreciation from many quarters. Many from the industry feel that a facelift is mandatory if the theatres need to survive as the single-screen theatres have several problems including quality of sound and screen, lighting, seating, power outages, hygiene issues, toilets, etc.
According to producer Vajreshwari Kumar, with lot of multiplexes making way into the city, it is becoming very hard for single theatre owners to maintain the show. “My film Mynaa will be the last film at Sagar theatre. I feel that single theatre owners have been facing frequent technical problems, which irks the audience. So it is better to wait,” says Kumar.
But then superstition steps in. Roopa Iyer, director of the film, Chandra was in for a surprise when she approached the owners of Sagar theatre to release her film. “There are speculations that a couple of theatres on KG Road are either getting demolished or they are in for renovation. With this mess, filmmakers like us are left with no option but to go elsewhere. But it will take at least two years to demolish after which renovation will take place. This has disappointed many in Sandalwood as for us, since many years, the report card and future of our film will come only when it is released in Majestic area,” she said.
But, giving in to the fact, Roopa also feels that renovation is important for such single theatres. “These single theatres have been running for decades and definitely need an upgradation in technology along with the luxury of state-of-the-art screens, sound, air-conditioning, among other facilities.” she says.
Exhibitor and film distributor Basha, who is currently running Sagar theatre did not clarify on whether the theatre was shutting. He said, “Right now I am not in a position to talk about the demolishing of Sagar theatre because I am running a show in consultation with the owners of the theatre. It is left to them to take a decision.”
However, the trend with the past demolitions has been that most of these single theatres have folded business and converted into commercial complexes.
Majestic theatre has been demolished and will be converted into a commercial complex. Other single-screen theatres like Himalaya, Kalpana, Prabhat, Alankar have already been renovated and made way for shopping complexes.
Moreover, what happens to other theatres is not known. The famous Sagar and Santosh theatre will be closing shutters soon followed by Nartaki.
With these theatres shutting, Gandhinagar will be left with a few theatres — Kapali, Triveni, Anupama, Tribhuvan and Menaka — which may soon follow suit.
RIP single screen theatres
There is mixed reaction from public to single theatres vanishing from Gandhinagar.
Vanitha, who usually watches movies on KG Road says, “These are the theatres which witnessed all-time hits. We preferred to go to these theatres only because it was affordable. I hope the film chamber takes some initiative in reducing the ticket price at multiplexes.”
For others, it is the memories that come flooding back on hearing about these theatres shutting down. “My memories in these theatre goes back to early ’90s. I have watched hits like Baazigar, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Mungaru Male and many more in these theatres. It is sad to know these theatres will not be screening anymore. But if these are getting demolished for better theatres, I have no complaints,” said Anand Rao.
