Pune's landmark theatre To usher in centenary by introducing air-conditioning and comfy chairs, so patrons can enjoy a more comfortable movie-going experience
Pune's landmark theatre To usher in centenary by introducing air-conditioning and comfy chairs, so patrons can enjoy a more comfortable movie-going experience
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Pune's landmark Vasant Talkies will soon get a modern look as it turns 100 this August. The Tapre family, which has been running the theatre for the last four generations, has charted grandiose plans to mark the milestone that includes a complete renovation and the release of a book on the theatre's history.
Vilas Tapre, partner, Vasant Talkies, told MiD DAY, "We are involving the fifth generation of our family in the renovations. We plan to spend Rs 25 lakh on air-conditioning the theatre and installing high-backed chairs." The theatre will also have an updated version of the satellite-enabled film projection system. "We expect to convert the theatre into a duplex within two years. A book on the theatre's 100-year-old history will be released by the end of this year," added Tapre.
Built in 1909 by theatre enthusiast Martand Tapre at a cost of Rs 70,000, the theatre was originally known as Kirloskar Natya Gruha and was meant to be a platform for dramatists. Actors like Balgandharv and Dinanath Mangeshkar have performed here. "Noted playwright Ram Ganesh Gadkari used to live in the theatre complex.
Lokmanya Tilak watched plays here," Tapre explained. It became a cinema theatre in 1935. State Cultural Minister Harshavardhan Patil is expected to attend the centenary celebrations scheduled for August 21
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