Curtains down for Delhi's Regal theatre after eight decades

Raj Kapoor's Mera Naam Joker and Sangam will be the last movies to be screened at the iconic theatre

Raj Kapoor's classics Mera Naam Joker and Sangam will be the last two movies to be screened at the iconic Regal theatre as it brings the curtains down on Thursday after an eight-decade-long golden run.

Situated in Connaught Place area of the central Delhi, Regal was designed by architect Walter Sykes George and opened in 1932.

Vishal Choudhary, one of the owners of the theatre, says they decided to screen Kapoor's films after receiving a lot of fan requests.

"We decided to screen Mera Naam Joker and Sangam on the last day after a lot of fans requested us to bring curtains down with Raj Kapoor's films.

"Regal has had a great association with both Prithviraj Kapoor and his son Raj Kapoor. Prithviraj ji used to perform all his plays in the Regal theatre and Raj Kapoor made sure to premiere all his films here. He was very attached to the theatre and Nargis ji also visited a lot of times with him," Vishal said.

The theatre that is currently playing Anushka Sharma- starrer Phillauri will screen Mera Naam Joker in the evening and Sangam in the night show.

The theatre owners are planning to return as a multiplex but Vishal says they are still in talks and it may take them a year or so to start the renovation.

"We have 60 per cent of the permission, but have not finalised the deal with any multiplex chains. We want to return with a bang and give our audience a memorable movie watching experience.