History and movies as Delhi’s Regal theatre puts up farewell shows

Regal Theatre, the 85-year-old iconic cinema in the heart of Delhi, will shut its doors to moviegoers on Thursday.
A monument to the city’s cinematic history, its social and culture life, the Connaught Place theatre screened Raj Kapoor’s Mera Naam Joker and Sangam on the last day. A favourite of Kapoor, it hosted premieres of several films released under RK films, including Sangam that released in 1964 and Mera Naam Joker, first screened in 1970.

Known as the New Delhi Premier Theatre in its early days, it opened in 1932 and was the city’s biggest and grandest theatre, a venue for ballets, plays and talkies.

It was also the most sought-after theatre for red carpet premiers of both Hollywood and Bollywood movies.
The theatre that once had Viceroy.

Lord Mountbatten and Jawaharlal Nehru among its famous patrons may return as a multiplex with four auditoria.
The hall that has 154 balcony seats, 285 rear seats, 40 boxes and 179 front seats drew a houseful for both the shows at 6pm and 9pm.