Granted for Films

This part of Bombay is a curios mix of good and bad. The road connecting Grant Road and Bhendi Bazaar has many alleys that lead to various types of businesses. This is also the road that has many old, dilapidated cinema halls. Grant Road had a number of theatres until 2004 namely the Novelty Cinema {which is now into construction of Novelty Apartments}, Super Cinema, Apsara, Jamuna, Minerva, Royal Talkies, New Roshan Talkies, Nishat Cinema, Imperial Cinema, Alfred Theater and Shalimar which were once an upon a time filled with viewers for their great blockbuster Bollywood Films. In fact, this must have been a place frequented by the whose who of the film industry because many shayars, poets and film writers lived in the by-lanes of Bhendi Bazaar. The famous Cinema theaters here premiered the hit films of yesteryear. There is a history on these roads and much is fading. And who cares?

My quest for learning Urdu takes me to these lanes as my Ustad is there. I can't help noticing that I am walking the same roads where many legendary poets have walked. I wonder when I think about the glitz and glamour of those days. When I walk past these Cinema halls, I get curious to get inside and unearth more but some film posters on the outside shout that I must not. Most theatres cater for B and C grade film lovers.  Even the Bhojpuri films are screened here. Obviously the tickets are much cheaper and the theatres are not upgraded for same reasons. 

Take a fotowalk with me.... through these pictures.

This is Royal Cinema still catering to the need of a particular sect of cinema watchers.

This is a reminder of the days gone by. Apsara theatre plays old hits of not so old days.

The famous Novelty Cinema has lost everything...glitter and glitz and the love of its patrons. This is where many famous films have been premiered.

Novelty...lady is lonely and de-glamourized.

Shalimar cinema is playing Bhojpuri films and catering to the needs of migrants from North Indian worker class.

This is the renovated Super Plaza Cinema which also plays a mix of good and not so good films.

Nishat is one of the many theatres on the famous Grant Road. One can find old or unheard C grade movies running in these theatres. 

If you want to take a walk here, drop a line. If you are curious and seek more information send an email to writingdollink@gmail.com Check out my pages on facebook. #fotowalkwithwritingdollmridual #writingdoll