A waning nostalgia
When Picture Palace and Ullasini were built in 1940s, they were the first cinema halls in Khulna and drew movie-lovers from far and wide. Back at the time and the decades following it, cinema-going was a social event to be enjoyed with family and friends.
Against the backdrop of the increasing popularity of the medium, dozens of halls came into being in Khulna. But cinema has changed a lot in recent times, and so has the business. Once a profit-making machine, cinema halls are fighting an existential battle today. In the last decade, 14 out of 20 halls in Khulna district have closed down. And now, the rest are tottering.
Business is bad these days, said the owners. In some cases, the break-even is not reached. So, the owners are looking for profitable ventures, and movie theatres are giving way to shopping malls, hotels or community centres.
Although it is a dying business in Khulna, people still fondly remember the thrill of going to the movies as they look back in time.
Kamrul Islam, assistant commissioner, Detective Branch of Khulna, recalls his early days. “I used to go to Sagorika with my brothers. Sometimes I skipped college classes to watch movies with friends,” he said. “Gone are the days when movie-going was filled with fun.”
Today many would not know Sagorika (1960s) ever existed. It was replaced by a community centre about 10 years ago.
Sagorika was run by the navy, and earned its name for screening only Indian Bangla films, most of which featured legendary actor duo Uttam and Suchitra. Kamrul said, “Not only the elite, but people from far-away villages came to watch Uttam-Suchitra movies at Sagorika.”
Papia Sarker, 39, a primary schoolteacher, also shared pleasant memories. “I used to go to the cinema with my friend Doly. But I don't do it anymore. I watch movies on phone or YouTube,” she said.
Debdash Mistri, a social activist, said, “In today's cinema actors don't attract the audience anymore. Directors and producers are also failing to make social movies.
“Just a decade ago. people used to go to the movies with family to have a good time. But obscenity is everywhere now -- in the scenes and in the dialogue.”
Owners also complain they are not getting enough audience.
Md Zafar Ali, owner of Sanggita in Khulna city, said, “The cinema hall opened in 1981 but it is facing a serious shortage of viewers. We've decided to close down the hall as we cannot even recover the cost of screenings.”
Owners also said they are not getting viewers because of cable TV, internet, Indian drama series, obscenity in cinema, video piracy, and dearth of good films. Many of the once-popular halls which have closed down include Boikali (1965) where a 20-storey hotel was built. Jhinuk (1982), which was popular for screening English movies, has been demolished. Soon, there will be a commercial buildingin its place. Picture Palace suffered a similar fate. It was demolished seven years ago, and in its place will be a high-rise commercial building.
The other theatres that have closed down are Star (1978), Minaxmi (1965), Garrison (1980) of Khulan city; Nagma (Shankho Mahol, 1995) and Hiramony (1990s) of Dumuria upazila; Falguni ((1990s) of Tala; Rupshagor (1980s) and Rupsha (1980s) of Rupsha; Basuri (1980s) and Shohag (1980s) of Paikgachha; and Shapla (1980s) of Phultal upazila.
However, the surviving six -- Shangkho (1981), Society (1960s), Sanggita (1978), Liberty (1956), Janata (1978), Chitrali (1966) -- are running on a limited scale. All but Liberty is about to close. “Liberty is being modernised into a cineplex,” said Enayetul Islam, owner of Chitrali.
Asitbaran Ghose, 78, former college professor, said, “Only good films can bring people to back to the cinemas.”
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