New Empire Cinema (Kolkata)

New Empire Cinema
নিউ এম্পায়ার সিনেমা
General information
Status Active
Type Cinema hall, Past theatre auditorium, Heritage building
Location Humayun Place in New Market
Address 1 & 3 A, Humayun Place, New Market
Town or city Kolkata
Country India

New Empire Cinema is a single screen cinema hall located in Humayun Place in New Market, (opposite Shreeram Arcade), Kolkata, West Bengal, India.[1][2] This theatre is next to Lighthouse Cinema.

History

Major general Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana, Home Minister of Nepal acquired 45 properties in Kolkata (then Calcutta). New Empire theatre was one of them. New Empire cinema auditorium was set up in 1932. The chief designer architect of this theatre was A. de Bois Shrosbree. At that time this theatre was used to perform Ballets and plays. Eminent performers like Yehudi Menuhin, Zubin Mehta, Uday Shankar, Amala Shankar, Bohurupee (Sombhu Mitra and Tripti Mitra) performed in this theatre. In 1932 Indian Noble laureate Rabindranath Tagore directed play Natir Pooja here.[1][3]

In the early 1960s films were introduced here alongside theatre performances. In late 1960's this was turned into a complete cinema hall. Under the chairmanship of V. Shantaram, the First International New Youth Film was held in New Empire.[1]

Current status

The Cinema in next building Lighthouse was closed in 2002, but As of July 2012, New Empire Cinema is still active. Currently the cinema's capacity is 1000 seats. The theatre management is running few food shops like Domino’s, KFC, Barista which is helping them to gain financial stability.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Rise and fall of dream theatres". Telegraph Calcutta. Monday , July 2 , 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ↑ "New Empire Kolkata Location". OneIndia. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  3. ↑ "Natir Pooja completes 80 years". Indian Express. 22 Aug 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.