‘On Day 1, I thought the film wouldn’t run for long’

After entering Maratha Mandir and climbing up two flight of stairs,  there is a long rectangular projection room with large windows. This room is exclusive for the three men handling the projectors for DDLJ and other movies.

The space houses two small rooms. One, brightly lit, keeps safe the reels of DDLJ and Maru’s favourite Kuch Kuch Hota Hai amongst others in large circular tin boxes. The second, dimly lit, is home to the two projectors. It is, also, home to Maru. “Even a bit of light enters the theatre room from here, which is why we have to keep it really dark,” explains Maru. This is the window through which, Maru says, he “developed a bond with KajoI”.

Maru has his maroon, high-legged chair right beside the projector.  DDLJ has twenty 18-20 minutes long serially numbered reels.

“If there is a different show in the morning, then it feels odd. You start to question things around you if you don’t get to hear the guitar tune Shah Rukh plays,” he says.

The movie is a family entertainer and the 280 balcony seats are filled with families on the weekends, says Maru.

A few days ago Maru was invited to a TV show. He saw the stars in person for the very first time. Maru says he drew a blank while reciting a dialogue for Kajol. “I was losing grip on the mike, but the next second Shah Rukh came and gave me a hug,” he says.

“On the first day, I thought it wouldn’t  run for many days… But, then, it picked up after the second week. It ran full-house for the next thousand,” Manu recalls.

meghna.yelluru@expressindia.com