Regal Theatre, New Delhi
The Regal Theatre also known as the Regal Cinema was a single screen cinema hall and theatre situated in Connaught Place in New Delhi, India.
Regal Cinema | |
 | |
  Regal Theatre Location within Delhi | |
| Location | Regal Building, Connaught Place, New Delhi, India |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 28°37′50″N 77°13′1″E |
| Current use | Museum (Madame Tussauds Delhi) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1932 |
| Closed | 30 March 2017 |
| Years active | 1932–2017 |
| Architect | Walter Sykes George |
History
The theatre, which was the biggest in New Delhi, was built in 1932. It served as a venue for ballets, plays and talkies. The Regal was also the site of theatrical premiere of Bollywood and Hollywood films. The Academy Award-winning Gone with the Wind had its Indian premiere at the Regal in 1940.[1] Films involving Raj Kapoor and Nargis also made its premiere at the theatre.[2]
The Regal was the first in Connaught Place to screen Hindi films and fared on its own against competitors, such as the Chanakya which was established in the 1970s. The opening of the PVR Anupam, a four-screen multiplex marked the decline of the theater. As multiplexes started to gain widespread reception in the 2000s, the Regal Theatre resorted to screening B-grade Bollywood films to stay operational.[1]
On the last day of the theatre's operation on 30 March 2017, the Raj Kapoor-directed films Mera Naam Joker and Sangam were screened.[3][4]
The owner of the cinema plans to open a multiplex in its place.[2]
Building
The building of the theatre, the Regal Building, was built in 1932. It was designed by architect Walter Sykes George.[4] and has three floors. In 1996, the first and second floors above the ground floor were sold to Madame Tussauds to open a wax museum in the building.[2]
The design of the building is a combination of Georgian and Mughal architecture.[5]
References
- Sharma, Manoj (30 March 2017). "Curtains down at Delhi's Regal cinema: A look at its cinematic journey over 85 years". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
- Rajput, Abhinav (30 March 2017). "Delhi's Regal Cinema to turn into a multiplex after shutting down, says owner". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
- "Lights out for Regal theatre with Raj Kapoor's 'Sangam'". The Times of India. 29 March 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
- Nijhawan, Meghna (31 March 2017). "As Delhi's Regal Cinema Screens Last Show, Twitter Takes Trip Down Memory Lane". NDTV. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
- Tulsiani, Kriti (30 March 2017). "Delhi's Iconic Regal Cinema To Close Its Doors, Owner Says Business Can't Run On Sentiments". News 18.com. Retrieved 1 April 2017.