Batra Theatre exists only in memories

Kaveesha Kohli

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Hum toh cinema band kar ke sukhi hain. (We are happy now that the cinema is not operating). It costs less than what running a theatre would cost us,” said Vinay Ghambir, former manager of Batra Theatre.

An almost tragic statement, this, however, is an apt description of dilemma faced by Chandigarh’s imposing, heritage single-screen theatres that were once full of life, filled with laughter and tears in equal measure, depending on who graced the screen. Today, many of these theatres consider shutting down completely as a more economically viable decision.

“I keep speaking to managers at Neelam and Kiran theatres, everyone is very unhappy. I think what we did was for the best,” said Ghambir.

Shut since 4 years

It has now been four years since the Batra Theatre has closed its doors to the public, after struggling to remain afloat for years. Today, nothing can be spotted in or around the theatre or its parking space. Unlike other theatres, there are no vendors or businesses here. Inside, there is rubble and debris and no one except the former manager and a few former employees who now live there.

Batra Theatre was designed by architect HS Chopra. “Chopra’s design for Batra is also a bold, sculptural statement in reinforced concrete and traces its origin to Le Corbusier’s design statements,” Sarbjit Singh Bahga, principal architect at a Chandigarh-based architecture and urban design firm, had written in a research paper on Chopra.

Movie buffs recall golden period

For several city-goers, Batra Theatre invokes memories of their childhood and the first movies they ever saw.

“Batra is within the walking distance from my house. I saw my first movie ‘Border’ there. I remember going to see it with my parents. My father served in the Indian Air Force, so it was really emotional for him,” said Vivek Yadav, a product designer.

According to Yadav, the last movie he saw there was ‘Badmaash Company’ in 2010 and Batra is no more, but a “landmark” now.

“I remember people used to queue up for movies there every Friday. It slowly lost its value with Fun Republic, DT and Elante mall coming up. So much that it became a landmark for navigation. Now it’s just a piece of building that couldn’t keep up with time,” he added.

Another movie-goer recalls watching his first film Jaspal Bhatti’s ‘Mahaul Theek Hai’ (1996) at Batra.

“It was something my father had specially planned for me and my sister. Those were the days we thought would never end. The joys of watching a film at a single screen cinema munching on crisp potato patties and Pepsi cola! We abandoned them for multiplexes,” he said.

Lalita Sharma said, “The theatre is special because I remember visiting it several times with my friends, then my husband and now my children. So much changed drastically over the years, both theatre and the movie-going experience.”

For Uttkarsh Khosla, a student, it’s Batra’s comfort and aesthetic that he finds irreplaceable.

“I still remember the theatre had artificial trees around the popcorn corner which really fascinated me as a child. Also, I liked how large the theatre was. We could also sit in the balcony seats and enjoy the movie,” he added.

History and future

For years, Batra’s owner, Naresh Batra, a Chandigarh-based businessman, has been in a tussle with the UT Administration about the future of the theatre.

Naresh had proposed a planetarium or even a hospital in place of the theatre. However, the administration turned down his request.

According to Ghambir, a fresh proposal was sent to the administration last month. Keeping the facade intact as per the government guidelines, the owners now wish to construct two theatres, a gaming zone and two restaurants inside the theatre. The chief architect could not be contacted for comment.