Veteran Bombay exhibitor Pranlal Doshi breathed his last this morning (25th December) at 1 a.m. at his residence in Bombay. He was 97. He will be cremated this evening at the Chandanwadi crematorium in Bombay.
Pranlalbhai, as he was respectfully called in the film trade, owned Super, Central Plaza, Palace and Sahakar Plaza cinemas in Bombay, besides some in Pune as well as in Gujarat. There were some more cinemas which the Doshis owned but which they sold off along the way. At one time, his company used to own/control more than 200 cinemas in Bombay circuit. Pranlalbhai was a sharp and astute businessman. He had a very amiable disposition and was a fast worker.
Pranlalbhai’s second and third generations are also in the film industry. His son, Kirti, who had started the exhibition business with Pranlalbahi, used to also look after the business till he passed away. Son Sharad Doshi, who was in Bhavnagar when Pranlalbhai breathed his last, is even today actively involved in the business. Pranlal Doshi’s grandson, Vimal Doshi (son of Kirti Doshi), is also a part of the entertainment industry. Pranlal Doshi is survived by his wife, two sons (Sharad and Dr. Dinesh) and the families of his three sons.
Pranlal Doshi was the longest-serving president of the Cinematograph Exhibitors’ Association of India (CEAI).