KOLKATA: At a time when cinemas are struggling to draw audiences back, the iconic Metro at Esplanade is set to start its shows again this Saturday. Shut in 2011, one of the oldest theatres in the city will rise from the ashes in a new multiplex avatar.
Redeveloped by the Metro Realty Group, in consultation with heritage architect Subir Kumar Basu, Metro will reopen with two screens and 422 seats. Named Metro Inox, the multiplex will open with ‘Tom & Jerry’, ‘Tuesdays & Fridays’, ‘Prem Tame’ and ‘Chakra’.
While iconic theatres in and around Esplanade, like Lighthouse, Roxy, Elite, Jyoti, Chaplin, Lotus, Tiger and Paradise, have drawn the curtains down —temporarily or for good— Metro offers a glimmer of hope to Bengal’s exhibition industry, which is striving to survive. Designed by New York-based architect Thomas Lamb, Metro started its journey on December 5, 1935 with the screening of ‘Bonemain Girls’. It was once used by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to promote their films here. Blockbusters, such as ‘Gone with the Wind’, ‘Ben Hur’, ‘Quo Vadis’ and ‘Ivanhoe’ were screened there. ‘Bobby’, ran there for 52 weeks in 1973.
But the fate of the theatre changed over the years with the dwindling footfall forcing it to down the shutters in 2011. Metro was subsequently bought and revived by Mumbai-based Metro Realty Group, the current owner. Metro Inox will be the fifth property of the multiplex chain to open in the pandemic. The other properties are in Gurgaon, Salem and Thane.
The Kolkata plex will be different, as modern facilities are juxtaposed with the theatre’s original Art Deco design and structure. The lobby, chandeliers and grand staircase have been brought back to their old glory. Calling it a “special occasion”, Alok Tandon, CEO of INOX Leisure Ltd, said, “Even in its fresh and new contours, we are sure the cinema will create the magic it had done for over eight decades. We are honoured to be part of this restoration and are committed to reviving the glorious memories that Kolkata witnessed at Metro.” The modern experience of cinema-viewing will include cutting-edge sound and projection technology, razor-sharp visuals, surround sound of Dolby Atmos and a choice of 3D screen. Vinay Khandelwal, business development head, Metro Realty, said, “The revived Metro INOX is a fine confluence of heritage, nostalgia and legacy with the contemporary vision of INOX.”
The news has elicited mixed reaction from single-screen owners. Arun Mehra of Bengal Properties Pvt Ltd that runs Paradise said it “wasn’t an encouragement” for reopening his cinema. But Suranjan Paul, owner of Minar, said, “Revival is important. I want to do the same thing with Minar.” Asked about reopening, Mitra owner Dwipen Mitra replied in the negative.