One of the oldest single screen theatres in Connaught Place area of Delhi is all set to shut down on March 31. It is being believed that the cinema hall which was opened over 85 years ago is set shut down because of the rapid decrease in the business of theatre.
“It has been decided by the management to close down the business from the premises wef 31.3. 2017,” a notice outside the theatre read as. Furthermore, the last movie that is all set to be screened at the iconic cinema hall is Anushka Sharma and Diljeet Dosanjh starrer Phillauri. According to a report in Times of India, the step comes after two buildings collapsed in Connaught Place leading to raising concerns on the infrastructural quality of the age-old buildings in the area.
Following the collapse of the buildings, the Municipal corporation had urged the shop owners to get safety certificate from the engineers.
“The structural engineer has stated that as our building is very old, its inspection will require a long period and we shall not be in a position to carry out business activity as it is likely to endanger the life and property of employees and visitors,” the notice added.
While speaking to TOI, one of the oldest employee of the cinema hall, Aman Singh Verma, recalled that the theatre used to late Raj Kapoor’s favorite and they had to shut it because it was getting difficult to maintain the cinema hall with the profit that they were earning. Adding that the collections are extremely low, Verma asserted that a hit film like Badrinath Ki Dulhania could get earn Rs 12,185 and that it was difficult to recall when the cinema hall witnessed it’s last full house.
Meanwhile, Anushka’s Phillauri is all set to hit theatres on March 24.
