X

Delhi’s iconic Chanakya theatre is all set to return in a new ‘avatar’

In 2007, the screening of “Taare Zameen Par” at Chanakya cinema had marked the end of the Capital’s love affair with the theatre in Chanakyapuri.

A few months ago, we were left disheartened with the demise of one of the oldest cinema halls of Delhi. The Regal Cinema in Connaught Place brought down its curtains on March 31. Sadly, that was not for the first when a single-screen theatre found itself crumbling in front of the fancy multiplexes. In 2007, Delhi’s iconic Chanakya Theatre met with the same fate. Fortunately, things are all set for a bright, new change.

The DLF group is all set to revive the iconic Chanakya cinema hall after a delay of seven years. Construction is on at a quick pace and DLF, the private concessionaire, is hopeful of opening the mall-and-multiplex soon.

Construction of the four-storey mall-cum-multiplex started in January 2013. Although the project was awarded to DLF in May 2008, work couldn’t start right away.

Video Courtesy: YouTube

DLF had reportely paid Rs 85 crore upfront to North Delhi Municipal Corporation when the contract was awarded. It’s also supposed to pay Rs one crore per month as licence fee to the civic agency.

According to Little Black Book (LBB) Delhi, the mall will house luxury brands like Mont Blanc, Tom Ford Women, Kate Spade, Juicy Couture and many more.

In 2007, the screening of the 9:45 p.m. show of “Taare Zameen Par” at Chanakya cinema had marked the end of the Capital’s love affair with the 37-year-old theatre in Chanakyapuri.

The decision to vacate the hall premises had come in the wake of a Supreme Court judgment paving the way for the New Delhi Municipal Council to raze the theatre complex and build a multiplex-cum-mall on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis.

For interesting news videos from InUth, follow us on Youtube.com/InUthdotcom