GUWAHATI: On 1st January, 2021 Guwahati's Anuradha Cinema completed 50 years of entertaining the people of the state.
The theatre will hopefully reopen on 15th of January after almost 10 months of closure, informed proprietor Chinmoy Sharma proudly.
The theatre was started by Phani Sharma and his wife Rina Sharma in 1971.
Phani Sharma, who originally hailed from Machkhowa village of Dhakuakhana, Dhemaji, established the cinema hall with a hope to set up a steady business in Guwahati. The land was bought in 1968. The construction of the hall was completed by the end of 1970. It was designed by an architect from Calcutta.
On 1st January, 1971, the theatre was inaugurated by the then chief minister of Assam, Mahendra Mohan Choudhury, and the guest of honour was RG Baruah, who was also the mentor of Phani Sharma.
Anuradha Cinema Hall could initially host 1132 people. A first class seat cost 80 paisa and the most expensive 'special box seat' was Rs. 3.60.
Even as a single screen theatre, the modern Anuradha Cineplex has adapted to almost every new technology. It was the first to adapt from print to digital form, the first to bring in Dolby Digital sound system in the state as well as 3D technology.
"We always feel that big sound big screen will always attract more people and we wanted to provide the latest developments in the field of cinema to the people of Guwahati, but at an affordable price," said Chinmoy Sharma.
The theatre has remained closed for over 10 months due to the pandemic. "We have incurred huge losses, but for us the hall is more than just a profit centre. The emotions of the Assamese people are involved and we would like to keep it up. We have made a few modifications during this period of lockdown and are hopeful to reopen by 15th January," he added.
