Star Theatre being re-constructed

KOLKATA: Re-construction of the historic Star Theatre bagan on Friday more than 10 years after it was gutted in a midnight blaze in October 1991.
The Star Theatre was taken over by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation in March 2001. After it was destroyed, a ‘Star Bachao’ committee was formed for rebuilding the heritage theatre. In 2001, thespian Gita De, Ganesh Mukhopadhyay, former mayor Kamal Bose and councillor Atin Ghosh sought mayor Subrata Mukherjee’s help to reconstruct the theatre.
Recently the KMC roped in a private construction firm to rebuild it while a reputed company was asked to design the building.
According to the plan, a 650-seater stage will replace the actual theatre, while a 350-seater open air theatre will be built on the first floor. The basement will be used as car parking space. The mayor said that the theatre will re-open within two years.
A total of Rs 10.5 crore will be spent for the re-construction work. “KMC took up the venture since we have a commitment to the society too,� he said.