MG Road
Now Showing at Plaza: Ghost.
Like many Benglureans, I have spent a sinful amount of time in the darkness of Plaza, one of Benglur's oldest movie theaters, while our teachers and lecturers were busy shouting hoarse to an almost empty class. Today, it's Plaza that's empty.
Before a show began at Plaza, an old man, who seemed to be as old as the theater itself, used to go around closing the wooden shutters. That ritual doesn't happen anymore.
However, light beams continue to stream in from the holes where the projector used to be. Minus the whirring sound. Plaza is now an empty shell, stripped of all the seats and curtains. However, a few memories from the past remain.
Above: Signs from the past.
Below: Not for sale. A sign from a very recent past when land grabbers ruled Benglur.
Right now, the plot where Plaza sits is under litigation. After all, the plot sits bang opposite the upcoming MG Road Namma Metro station. So before your say "A Prayer for the Dying" (probably the last movie played here - see last picture), watch out for a rebirth.
10 comments:
Terrific pics Gopal...esp the pic of the man in the broken down building.
Lovely and yet sad photos. Our last lecture was always skipped for a movie at Rex/Plaza. Do you know that there used to be a dance floor here for the 'Tommies to dance with their girls? It explains the wooden flooring the theatre has.
Some interesting reads.
http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/03/30/stories/2005033001270100.htm
http://bangalorebuzz.blogspot.com/2005/03/curtain-call-for-plaza.html
That's incredibly sad. I have fond memories of the place too. The snap which has "Next Change" and Meryl Streep and Bruce Willis? -- it blew towards me the smell of these old theatres!
Great snaps.
Thank you Meera.
Thanks for the links, Citygurl. I have no clue about the ballroom and british connection.
And the last movie wasn't "A Prayer for the dying!"
Gopal, that was interesting! The 2 cinema halls that I went to as a child also shut down few years back. Now they are building a mall. nice memories :)
hey... incredible story! i think one of your best. a perfect blend of an interesting story and arresting images.. lovely!!!
The last movie played was "Meet the Fockers." Wait, the Hindu link above says just that..
Been a frequent visitor to your blog, fantastic pictures...the great march of man's greed knows no end and such landmark edifices are brought down and newer shinier ones take precedence...
Fantastic pictures of unknown interiors of MG ROAD.
You can find More Bangalore Locality Pictures at a 1 stop. Apart from these can you suggest some other pictures?
Link is Here
Very nicely presented - depicts the mood for its current state.
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