Rajmoni Cinema Hall closes down

Cinema hall authorities often complain about facing continuous losses in the business. Earlier, renowned cinema halls -- Purnima and Shyamoli -- located in the capital, had been shut down due to the slump of business. Hundreds of theatres have been demolished all over the country in the past few years, in order to accommodate commercial spaces.

Rajmoni Hall, located in Kakrail, was established in the 80’s. It started business with the film Lalu Bhulu, and last displayed Shakib Khan’s Nolok.

Freedom fighter Ahsanullah Moni is the owner of Rajmoni Cinema Hall. The Daily Star talked to Shahidullah, the in-charge of the theatre. “We cannot bear the expenses anymore, and as the situation has no sign of improvement. We had to come to the decision of closing it down,” he says. He also informed that the owner would build a commercial space on the plot.

“The film industry is going through a crisis. We are not making profit from the business. Sadly, it it has been same for many years, and it has become difficult for hall owners to survive in this field,” says Iftekhar Uddin Naushad, President of Bangladesh Motion Picture Exhibitor Association, and owner of Modhumita cinema hall.

The artistes in the film industry are worried. “The halls are closing down at a fast rate, and this is very alarming for our film industry. It is a threat for us as well,” says veteran actor Prabir Mitra. “We also have to see it from the owners’ perspective,” says another senior actor, Rozina. “It does not make sense to incur losses at such an alarming rate.”

Another cinema hall owned by Ahsanullah Moni, named Razia, is also rumoured to be closing down soon.