Sixty-three-year-old iconic city landmark to make way for commercial complex; thankfully, the new building will have a single-screen theatre as well.
Sixty-three-year-old iconic city landmark to make way for commercial complex; thankfully, the new building will have a single-screen theatre as well.
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Angrezon ke zamaane ka theatre: Vijay theatre was constructed by Keshavrao Limaye in 1946. Pic/Vivek Sabnis |
In the 1940s, the space was called Limaye Natya Mandir. Back then, it was used for Marathi sangeet natak performances. In the 1950s, the property was developed into a 900-seater cinema hall and renamed Vijay theatre.
Suryakant Nikam, partner, Kedar Associates who are the new owners of the property on which Vijay theatre stands, said, "We are waiting for the ongoing economic slowdown to end, after which we will initiate the demolition and construction. We expect work to begin in 2010." Nikam added that the new complex will also have a single-screen theatre.
Niyan Joshi, partner, Vijay Exhibitors, who have been running the theatre for the last 45 years said, "We welcome the new change, and hope the new building will satisfy all stake holders."
Balkrishna Bhide, producer of Marathi films, said, "In the early days of its existence, Vijay theatre only screened Marathi films. Then it switched to Hindi films, and soon took on its present cosmopolitan look. I saw the film Robin Hood in Vijay during my college days."
Manohar Kulkarni, former president, Akhil Bharatiya Natya Parishad, said, "We have many sweet memories of this place. We have watched many good films in Vijay in the last six decades," he said.