Rishi Kapoor gets nostalgic as Regal Theatre shuts down today

- March 30, 2017

This picture taken on March 27, 2017 shows Indian cashier Bhoop Singh selling tickets before a movie starts at the Regal cinema, an 84-year-old movie hall, in the heart of the Indian capital New Delhi. After years of slow but steady decline the colonial-era Regal cinema, a New Delhi institution, is enjoying a late flourishing -- sadly just as it is about to close its doors. (AFP)

Veteran Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor took to Twitter to bid an emotional goodbye to Regal Theatre in Delhi, which will shut down today after an eight-decade-long golden run.

The owners have decided to screen Rishi’s father, Raj Kapoor’s classics “Mera Naam Joker” and “Sangam” on its last day.

The premiere of Rishi’s debut film as a leading man was also held at Regal Theatre. “Demolish. Adios Regal Theatre, Delhi. A place where all the Kapoor’s theatre and cinema work was seen. Had ‘Bobby’ premiered there too! Thank you!” the actor posted on Twitter alongside a picture of the iconic cinema hall.

Situated in Connaught Place area of the central Delhi, Regal was designed by architect Walter Sykes George and opened in 1932. According to owner, Vishal Choudhary, Regal had a great association with both Prithviraj Kapoor and his son Raj Kapoor.

While Prithviraj used to perform all his plays in the Regal theatre, Raj made sure that the premiere of all his films were held in Regal Theatre.