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Delhi: Curtains come down on Regal's 84 glorious years in CP

But for Regal Cinema, the epic single-screen theatre that majestically stood the tests of time and multiplexes in the heart of CP, there won't be a tomorrow

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It's around 9.30pm, business as usual for Connaught Place (CP). Pavement dwellers are winding up their stalls and showrooms are downing their shutters, to come again tomorrow. But for Regal Cinema, the epic single-screen theatre that majestically stood the tests of time and multiplexes in the heart of CP, there won't be a tomorrow.

After 84 years of screening some of the biggest hits in its premises, Regal retreated from public view, making way for the new order.

Both the exit and the entrance gates of the hall are choc-a-block with audience. Some are leaving after watching the 6pm show of Mera Naam Joker, and others are waiting to be seated for another RK hit, Sangam. The mood is mixed -- It oscillates between euphoric and sombre, reminiscent and wistful.

"I have watched many a movies here, right from my college days. Garam Hawa, Manthan, Mirch Masala shaped my theatrics sensibilities. It was an experience in itself, not just watching the movie but also the grandiose structure of the cinema," says Professor Dinesh Khanna, who teaches theatre at the National School of Drama (NSD).

The seetis and claps that erupt every time Raj Kapoor appears on the screen, the audience breaking into chorus of Kehta hai joker saara zamana, exemplifies what Khanna means. May be it is because of the last day, the pain of losing something precious, or may be it is the sudden realisation of what the white structure meant for Delhi, that people from as far as Dwarka have come for that one last movie.

"I regret taking the cinema for granted and switching my loyalty to multiplexes. I always thought it would remain forever. I was so wrong," says Arjun Sharma, a private sector professional. Unfortunately, he has to return empty-handed.

The rush is not unusual, as Rajiv Shukla, one of the oldest Regal employees, says. "We were housefull when Bajrangi Bhaijaan was screened, and during Dangal as well. Yes, it is a moment of posterity, because there won't be any more shows," he declares as a matter-of-fact. Going down the memory lane, he talks of the days of yore, when the entire staircase was covered with flowers the night before a screening. The red fragrant carpet was laid out for the star cast and audience, too, was showered with petals.

The iconic cinema hall was established in 1932, in a style that blended Georgian architecture with exquisite Mughal elements. True to its name, Regal refused to bow down to the demands of the market for 84 long years, even during the crass 90s era. The hall refused to screen re-runs of old hits or grant space to Bollywood masala. A cinema preferred by none other than Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and his colleagues, it always maintained the same aura and exclusivity.

The single-screen theatre was known as the favourite of showman Raj Kapoor. His love for Regal also reflected in the plays of Prithvi Theatre, which were screened exclusively here.

Meanwhile, a thunderous applause reverberates from inside the hall. Credits have started rolling for Sangam and the audience is hanging on to the last moments of soon to be faded glory.

Shukla puts it most aptly, in the form of 'Mera Naam Joker's' song, "Kal khel mein hum ho na ho, gardish mein taare rahenge sada. Bhoologe tum, bhoolenge vo, par hum tumhare rahenge sada. Rahenge yahin apne nishaan, iske siva jaana kahan."

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