NEW DELHI: Born in the spring of 1963, Amba cinema soon became a part of north Delhi's bustling heart and its being. The theatre opened with director O P Ralhan's high-strung melodrama, 'Gehra Daag'. Rajendra Kumar, known as Jubilee Kumar in those days, and Mala Sinha played the leads.
Kumar passed away in 1999. But at a time when many single-screen theatres have fallen on hard times and their numbers dwindle across the city, Amba lives on strong. The movie theatre turned 60 last month, joyfully celebrating its diamond jubilee.
For decades, DU's North Campus students have been among Amba's core patrons. The capacious air-conditioned theatre, with a seating capacity of 1,053, also attracts a motley gathering from other nearby areas: Kamla Nagar, Subzi Mandi, Vijay Nagar, Mukherjee Nagar & Model Town. "In the 1980s, the audience used to be a mix of different social classes, from the affluent to the working class. Even wrestlers from nearby akharas came," remembers city-chronicler Vivek Shukla.
On social media, several cine-goers recounted their association and relived their memories of the theatre. They recalled watching India's first 3D film, 'Chhota Chetan' (1985), and other blockbusters, such as 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun'. One post recalled how Manoj Kumar's ode to the plough, 'Upkar', was shown at Amba and Alpana and the lone print had to be shuttled between the two cinema halls. "My friend had to elbow his way to the ticket counter for Shah Rukh Khan's 'Deewana'," reminisces journalist Alok.
Amitabh Bachchan movies such as 'Muqaddar Ka Sikandar', 'Laawaris', 'Sharaabi' ran to packed houses at Amba. "But the only film which celebrated its silver jubilee was 'Sholay' (1975)," says cinema manager Kausar Siddiqui. Major stars to visit the theatre include Pradeep Kumar and Sanjay Dutt.
Started by Shiv Shanker Lall and Bhawani Shanker, Amba has remained a family business, says the cinema's director, Ambani Shanker. "To keep up with the changing times we have incorporated the latest digital projection and sound systems. We also offer multiple movie screenings and maintain reasonable prices for our audiences," he texted.
Designed by architects Powar & Powar, Amba's compound is roughly the size of a hockey field with plenty of parking space. The exteriors are brick red and dark green. At the back you can still see the abandoned front stall ticket counter of yore. Inside, the look is neat. With its wooden balustrade and marble steps, the staircase leading to the balcony catches the eye.
Both middle stall and front stall tickets cost Rs 75. Add another Rs 25 to buy a seat in the rear stall. A balcony ticket is Rs 200. Popcorn costs Rs 80 and hot coffee Rs 40. Five shows are hosted every day.
Like the entire film industry Amba, too, endured hard times during the peak Covid-19 period. But now, despite construction work nearby, the film public is crowding the counters again. "Footfalls have increased. Tickets were sold out for 21 shows of Pathan. Even those who don't regularly visit theatres turned up to watch the film," says Siddiqui. "Last Sunday one of The Kerala Story shows was also "Houseful". The film is drawing decent crowds," he says.
It's Monday afternoon and the matinee show has just started. Four students, tickets in hand, rush towards the balcony door. "How much have we missed?," one of them asks as they are ushered in. It's a question every film buff would have asked sometime.
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