Sanjay Shukla

Here’s a list of some of the iconic standalone theatres in Hyderabad that have faded into oblivion. Hope this brings back some good old memories…

Yakut Mahal Theater – Developed during Nizam in 1934. 1952 movie like Aan (first full color) was exhibited here. They say, Nizam and his family used to watch movies here.  There were separate seating arrangements for Ladies & Gents and a curtain used to separate them at the beginning, during interval and after the movie. Peerless Magnarc Projectors from the US, Chicago were used (still in use).

Zamrud Mahal Theatre – 1940: Known for movies like Awara, Jewel Theif, Naseeb (played close to one year). Right in the middle of Abids, Zamrud was one of the oldest and grandest in terms of its location, as far as Hindi movies were concerned. Huge posters of Hindi films (of course, they were painted then), were displayed all over the theatre. Heard there separate sitting for Male & Females and there used to be a curtain as a divider, as well. Funny!!! And, there used to be a break during Namaaz.

Sagar (Abids) – 1925: Aalam Aara – The first Talkie Movie – Heard that the moviegoers used to carry newspapers to burn below the benches to force the khatmal out….

Sudha, Alka, Asha – Shal-ali-banda (Old City) These three theaters use to be the pride of old city. Perfect spot for Hindi and Telugu moviegoers.

Sangeet Theatre -1969 – Ultra Stereo Optical Sound in 1994, a Digital Theatre System in 1995 – the first movie to showcased was “Camelot” . There were so many movies played here ‘Gone with the Wind’, ‘Falling in love’, ‘Oh God’, ‘All that Jazz’, ‘Dirty Dancing’ and so many more.

Anand Theatre: Located at SD Road, Secunderabad, was a cousin of Sangeet theatre.

Skyline, Sterling – 1990s: These theatres, a major landmark in Basheerbagh, were the Hollywood movie buff’s paradise. Blockbusters like Jumanji (Robin Williams), Chicago, Titanic, Golden Eye and many Bond movies had great runs here. The movies, Basic Instinct ran for close to an year in Sterling

Odeon – 70 MM, Deluxe, Mini Odeon: The complex at at RTC crossroads had three theatres, Odeon Deluxe, Odeon 70mm and Mini Odeon. They were entertainment hubs and popular release centres for Telugu movies for many years

Palace Theatre – This theatre was located at the corner near GPO and was quite spacious. It generally played Hindi movies. It seems there used to store near to it called Ajanta Cool Drinks. This Ajanta Cool Drinks only served cool drinks but had an elaborate set of rules one of which was that you cannot comb your hair in the store!

Navrang, Ashok and Vikranti – Side by side –  The three theaters stood side by side on the busy Jamnagar road, almost at the junction of Mojamjahi market and played Hindi blockbusters all the time. – Don movie was played in one of the theater, Bobby and many more.

Maheshwari-Parmeshwari – Came in 1980’s, esclators were the major tourist attraction, first in public space. So many movies, “Mr.India”, “Saajan”, “Hum Aapke Hai Kaun”

Liberty – Himayatnagar-Tankbund Junction – English Movies – “Silent Movie” – 1976 – and “African Safari – 1968” – The Sound of Music and Guns of Navarone

Natraj, Ajanta – Clock Tower – During Rishi Kapoor’s “Karz” movie, there was big gramophone set up here which was the main of attraction at that time.

Dilshad Talkies – 1939: Old Hindi movies – Muqaddar Kaa Sikandar – 365 Days.

Ramakrishna 70 mm – Sholay – 532 Days – Deewaar – 365 days, Maine Pyar Kiya – 365 days.

Other notable mentions:

Lata theatre (Nampally), Santhosh-Sapna (Abids), Farheen-Shaheen (later became Surya), Basant Talkies (Kachiguda), Sham-Regal (Lakdi-ka-pul), Sai Kishore (Narayanaguda)… each one has its own story, its own chunk of history, in its own language!