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From Raj Kapoor to Amitabh Bachchan, there was one theater which proved lucky. From Prakash Mehra to Manmohan Desai released many of their films here. All of them turned out to be hits. But now that theater is closed forever. Let us tell you about Alankar Theatre.
A lot has changed in the changing times. Everything has been updated with time. Take films only, from black and white to color, in today’s time the world of AI and VFX has shaken everyone. Similarly, cinema hall has also had its own journey. There was a time when there were no ACs in theaters. But the passion for films used to draw people to the theatre. At that time even popcorn and momos were not available in the hall. There used to be commotion at the ticket counter.
Today is the era of multiplexes. The grandeur of theaters has gone away. But in the 90s, 1000 spectators used to watch movies sitting on ordinary chairs. At that time single screen theater was dominant. Now the number of such theaters is very less. But the real cinema lover knows these theaters very well.
But now single screen theaters are slowly becoming extinct. Recently, a cinema hall was closed, which once used to house the films of big superstars. That cinema hall was lucky for some directors and actors. Whenever a film was made on it, it would turn out to be a superhit.
Actually we are talking about Alankar Theatre. Whose building was also demolished recently. This was such an old single screen theater of Mumbai which has given a lot of memories to the cinema lovers as well as the stars, directors and makers.
Alankar Theater was situated between Grant Road and Girgaon Road. Which was very famous in the surrounding areas. If friends would come here, some would enjoy movies with the family.
Before Alankar Theatre, Novelty Cinema was closed forever in the year 2006, while a theater named New Empire was also closed in the year 2014. Now such an iconic cinema hall decoration has also settled in our memories forever.
It was told that the doors of Alankar Theater were closed due to losses. Due to old infrastructure and less screening, the owner was continuously incurring losses. There was a time when there was competition among makers to release films in Alankar. Many directors felt that this theater was lucky.
Writer and writer Yunus Khan also shared this story on Facebook. He told how Prakash Mehra was adamant to release his films only in talkies. He considered it a lucky charm.
Talking about the history of Alankar Theatre, it started in the year 1960. Bimal Roy’s ‘Usne Kaha Tha’ was released for the first time in this theater and then Raj Kapoor’s ‘Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai’ was released. Later on, this cinema hall remained abuzz with many films.
Alankar Theater was also lucky for Amitabh Bachchan’s films. Where 1000 spectators used to sit together and watch movies. Amitabh Bachchan’s films like Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Namak Halal to Laawaris were released here and were successful in showing amazing performance.
Prakash Mehra had a good time at Alankar Theater when Muqaddar Ka Sikandar ran here for 75 weeks. People would fill the packed theater and enjoy Amitabh Bachchan’s film.
Similarly, everyone from Raj Kapoor to Manmohan Desai considered Alankar theater as lucky. Manmohan Desai and Amitabh Bachchan’s Coolie also celebrated its silver jubilee here.
