The iconic Paradise Cinema at Mahim in Bombay has shut. The single-screen cinema, which had been running for 80 years, may be converted into a multiplex but nothing is final as yet. Owner Niloufer Dubash neither confirmed nor denied anything.
It is becoming increasingly difficult for single-screen cinemas to withstand the competition posed by posh multiplexes. Added to this is the poor quality of films these days, which results in films being pulled out from the cinemas even before a week’s run is completed. The government doesn’t provide any concessions or reliefs to single-screen cinemas, many of which, therefore, have to down shutters. Rather, the Maharashtra government has made it mandatory for all cinemas in Bombay and the state to screen Marathi films for a certain time period, making it even more difficult for them to survive as patronage for Marathi films is not very strong because of weak content. If the cinemas don’t fulfil the condition of screening Marathi films, they run the risk of non-renewal of their annual licences.
Paradise was constructed by Sorabji Bathena around 1940. Many years later, it passed into the hands of Dubash Brothers who tied up with E-Square Cinemas to develop Paradise E-Square, as it is called.