Anatomy of Local Iconic Landmarks

Everyone who has lived in Mumbai in the last two decades has seen the city completely transform. Some would say it is simply a case of out with the old, and in with the new. And while most of us have embraced the new, we are still filled with a warm fuzzy feeling whenever we think of the old. We may not have visited Marine Drive, Chowpatty, Colaba Causeway or Gateway of India for a weekend visit with the family or with friends for a long time, but we still remember those trips with the fondness of a beautiful and incredible era gone by.

The same can be said about two of Mumbai’s most enduring landmarks in the cinema space, The Regal and Eros cinema theatres in South Mumbai. Not far too long before, a movie-going experience would be incomplete if we didn’t enjoy the movie at these theatres, respectfully cheering the seductive moves of an actress while sitting in the balcony seats as city folk danced and hooted with wild abandon in the aisles of the stall seats. As times have changed, multiplex theatres have arrived and stolen the soul of the Indian movie experience. Indeed, many other iconic cinemas like Metro and Sterling have taken the bait and converted to swanking multiplexes. Today, a movie is more about plush seats carefully categorised as silver, gold or platinum, exclusive premiers, personalized catering service and outrageously priced snacks. Is it a wonder that while we still remember most dialogues from movies we saw when younger; the ones we watch today remain only a blur in our memory? Truth is, we do not have the time to immerse ourselves in the magic of cinema when we are constantly being bothered by attendants on what item on the menu they could bring us next, and what the special of the day is.

There is a valid case made about individual liberty and the right to make a choice about where someone would want to see a film. However, what is saddening in that these incredible cinemas with all their heritage and quality, are been utterly neglected by one and all. Neither the movie patrons nor the film fraternity are worried about the fact that these cinemas may go out of business, and forever destroy a part of cinema folklore. After all, these theatres have hosted the premier shows of some of Bollywood’s most famous films and millions have watched their favourite actors in awe on these screens as the actors lived out a life that most aspired to! While many would say that this is inevitable in today’s fast-paced world, examples from around the world prove otherwise: Apollo and Broadway theatre from New York City, The Gateway Theatre in Chicago, River Oaks Theatre in Houston, Cinema Odeon in Florence, Crest Theatre in Sacramento, California are all cases in point. These cinema theatres are famous iconic local landmarks in their own right. They have not endured till today as they offer the most advanced projection technology or the best catering service: they have thrived as there is fascinating history connected with them and more importantly, the people associated with them not only recognize this fact but also value it.

So what can Mumbai do to prevent the loss of yet another piece of its history in these changing times? As the audience, you and I can’t really do much. But the theatres’ management and the Bollywood certainly can. The theatre management needs to restore the facilities at these theatres to pristine condition and re-launch them as exclusive, elite and historic theatres. Bollywood needs to be sensitive to the role these theatres have played in their history together and restart doing premier shows and new movie launches here. If you wish to create a local iconic landmark, these steps are as critical as they are relevant. Most tourists to New York City today make it a point to visit Broadway theatre and Apollo Theatre. Why can’t Regal or Eros cinemas also be looked at as the local iconic landmarks for Mumbai?

You may ask why there is a need for recognising historic significance. Well, the answer will strike you in a few years, when the international community asks you about your rich film heritage – and you have nothing else to show for it but a stack of old photographs and chains of swanky multiplexes with shabby personal attendants who are interested in nothing else but selling you yet another tray of Nachos.

By: Sudeep Singh, NMIMS, Mumbai