Delhi’s Iconic Regal Cinema to Shut Down Today; Mera Naam Joker to be the last film on screen
Located in the heart of Delhi, the oldest and the iconic Regal Cinema has announced to shut it operations last week after the owners failed to acquire a structural security certificate.
Regal Cinema is reported to shut today.
The news was shared by its owners through a notice put outside the theatre that said, “It has been decided by the management to close down the business from the premises w.e.f 31.3.2017”.
Raj Kapoor’s Mera Naam Joker and Sangam will be the last two movies that will be shown at the 85-year-old Regal cinema today.
Vishal Choudhary, one of the owners of the movie hall, received a request from a fan, to screen Raj Kapoor’s movies as the hall was his favourite. He is said to have visited the theatre regularly and hosted movie premieres of his several films under the banner of RK films.
The hall that is currently playing Anushka Sharma-starrer Phillauri will show Mera Naam Joker in the evening at six and Sangam at 9 pm on Thursday.
Regal Cinema in Connaught Place was the first theatre in the area opened in 1932 by Sir Sobha Singh.
Regal is also expected to return as a multiplex with four auditoria. According to the owners, they are trying to get permission from agencies concerned to build a multiplex at the same spot.
“The facade will not be changed as the building is a heritage structure but inside there will be major changes including a new design of the hall, better seats, new toilets and canteen,” said Choudhary.
The manager, Roop Ghai told, “Raj Kapoor and Nargis would spend time a lot of time here. Kapoor often sat through the premieres of his films. The theatre was decorated and rituals were performed before the start of every film. Every show then was the house full in advance for at least a week.”
P.s.The first and second floors of the Regal Building were sold to Madame Tussauds in 1996, so the famed wax museum could open its 22nd branch in Delhi. The ground floor remains with the owner.