The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Sangeet theatre to fade into oblivion

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 18, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Sangeet theatre to fade into oblivion

M. Srinivas

Multiplex to replace Secunderabad landmark; Fire Services Department clears project

PHOTO: Satish. H

Identity crisis: Sangeet theatre, an important landmark in Secunderabad, will soon be replaced with a multiplex.-

HYDERABAD: Sangeet 70 MM theatre, Secunderabad’s decades-old entertainment hub and popular destination for Hollywood blockbusters and Hindi films too, is to transform itself into a swank multiplex.

In tune with the changing times, the theatre management has decided to demolish the existing structure and build a complex with four screens, mall and eating joints while providing ample parking place. Construction work on the project in over 6,000 square yards of land will begin in the next two months.

“With the concept of multiplexes gaining momentum, we have also decided to transform our theatre,” explained Akshat Misra of Sangeet theatre. The Fire-Services Department has also accorded permission for the project.

Constructed in 1969, the cinema hall that has been synonymous with quality entertainment being the first to install Ultra Stereo Optical Sound in 1994, Digital Theatre System in 1995 and later the Xenon Lamp Projection with Platter System.

The theatre land was on lease for 40 years before the existing management purchased it in 2003. Since then, they have been making plans to build a modern complex and the first one proposed in association with a foreign firm three years ago fell through.

Discerning cinema buffs continued to throng the place from different corners even after modern theatres and mulitplexes sprung up in other parts for the sheer pleasure of watching a movie here. Hollywood’s “Camelot” was the first film screened in the theatre and Bollywood blockbuster ‘Hum Aapke Hain Kaun’ released in 1994 was screened for one year in morning shows!

“Jurassic Park, Titanic, Lagaan…” and many other blockbuster releases saw weeks of advance booking here. “Sangeet has a viewer friendly environment unmatched elsewhere,” observed a call centre employee, R. Premnath from Rezimental Bazaar in Secunderabad.

Mr. Misra assured that same quality would be maintained in the future too. Assistance of architects from Singapore was taken. But, the multiplex will come into being by 2009.

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