In an age where single screen theatres barely have a fighting chance against the multi-screen theatres, the eight decade old Yakut Mahal theatre is a splendid testament to the old.
While other theatres like Jagat, Kamal and Estate have become relics of the past, Yakut Mahal has manaaged to flow with the change in times.
Tracing its construction back to the 1930’s in the lanes of Yakutpura, it was one of those theatres which attracted both common man and connoisseur. Playing four shows a day, even now it gathers a house full crowd for top grossing movies like Dhoom 3 and a decent crowd for old movies that don’t get screened anywhere else.
The theatre at one point almost did get consumed in ruins but was renovated, still keeping its heritage value intact. Mohammed Abdul Saleem Sharfan now owns the theatre and tells about the legacy behind it.
Theatrical trailer
Saleem who inherited the theatre from his father says, “I never dreamt that one day I would be the owner of this theatre which has got such a great heritage value. It has been refurbished thoroughly with the latest seating and other paraphernalia while not disturbing the edifice or its character.”
Md Abdul Saleem Sharfan’s family has been around in Hyderabad almost as long as the theatre. His father originally ran the theatre. “I still remember the days when I used to come into the hallowed environs of the theatre along with my father,” reminisces the 57-year-old, adding, “My father was a very noted man in the old city during the Nizam’s regime and was also bestowed with the sobriquet ‘Silver King Jani’.”
Such was his father’s repute that even the Nawab frequented the theatre. “It was a favourite spot for the Nawabs and the special enclosure was apparently never vacant during any screening. The old-timers still recall when the Nizam would come in his automobile and take a seat in the special enclosure.”
Besides a special enclosure for VIPs, the theatre also had different sections demarcated for women that are properly curtained. A separate box meant for dignitaries was occasionally occupied by the rulers of the time. “Keeping these things in mind, during the restoration we tried our level best to keep intact its original layout. So we have maintained the different section for women and the special enclosure even now.”
Though the special sections were meant to cater to the social norms then, a curtained area for women now may feel like an odd cinematic experience. “This feature was revived so that the audience can feel like they are revisiting the past,” explains Saleem.
Special effects
Besides the theatre itself, what makes Yakut Mahal unique is its film projector. Manufactured in 1927 and installed during 1938, the projector still runs as if it were brand new. The projector was specially manufactured by J.E. McAulley Manufacturing Company of Chicago and was shipped to Hyderabad during the Nizam’s rule.
“Initially, the screen was flat but was later changed to cinemascope,” informs Syed Saleem, a senior projection staff member.
With a seating capacity of 565, the Yakut Mahal indeed gives cinema goers quite the film experience.