Regal Cinema To Screen ‘Mera Naam Joker’, ‘Sangam’ Before Shutdown

The iconic Regal Cinema in Delhi’s Connaught Place has become the latest target of cruel modernisation. (Photo: Shorbori Purkayastha/The Quint)

Raj Kapoor's classics Mera Naam Joker and Sangam will be the last two movies to be screened at the iconic Regal theatre as it brings the curtains down on Thursday after an eight-decade-long golden run.

Situated in Connaught Place area of the central Delhi, Regal was designed by architect Walter Sykes George and opened in 1932.

Vishal Choudhary, one of the owners of the theatre, said the decision to screen Kapoor's films was taken after receiving a lot of fan requests.

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Regal has had a great association with both Prithviraj Kapoor and his son Raj Kapoor. Prithviraj ji used to perform all his plays in the Regal theatre, and Raj Kapoor made sure to premiere all his films here. He was very attached to the theatre and Nargis ji also visited a lot of times with him.

Vishal Choudhary, One of the Owners of Regal Cinema

The theatre is currently playing Anushka Sharma-starrer Phillauri, and will screen Mera Naam Joker in the evening and Sangam in the night show.

The theatre owners are planning to return as a multiplex, but Vishal says they are still in talks, and it may take them a year or so to start the renovation.

"We have 60 percent of the permission, but have not finalised the deal with any multiplex chains. We want to return with a bang and give our audience a memorable movie watching experience."

(With inputs from PTI)