As Padma Talkies in Kolhapur celebrates its 75th year, we walk down memory lane to discover how this single-screen has managed to prosper in the multiplex era
On Gudi Padwa, May 21, 2015, Padma Talkies in Kolhapur will celebrate its 75th year of profitable existence, no mean feat in this era of multiplexes and short-lived movie lifespans.
The story of Padma Talkies began in 1936, when the Late Col Nanasaheb Dattajirao Ingle (ADC, Military Secretary to HH Rajaram Chhatrapati, Maharaj of Kolhapur) started constructing the cinema hall in the heart of the city. The building layout drew its inspiration from the renowned Metro Cinema of what was then Bombay. The cinema was named ‘New Talkies’ at first but was renamed Padma Talkies in 1942 in honour of Princess Padmaraje, who was born the previous year. After Col Ingle, his son Dhairyasheelrao Ingle took over the reins and passed on the mantle to his son Ruturaj. At present, Ruturaj’s wife Gauri Ingle manages the property.
Initially, Padma Talkies was famous for screening English films. It also had a unique attraction for its patrons – a bar. It was terribly popular with the local residents of Kolhapur as also with the Polish camp residents, who were then living in Valivade, now Gandhinagar on the outskirts of the city. Many English classics like Gone With The Wind, Ten Commandments, Ben Hur, Roman Holiday, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Seven Brothers For Seven Brides, Vertigo and The Sound Of Music right down to the more recent 300 and 2012 have found enthusiastic patronage. Despite the language constraints, popular comedy films like Laurel & Hardy (Jadya & Radya in Marathi) witnessed high viewership. The show timings were 3 pm, 6 pm and 9 pm while the 10 am, matinee slot, was fixed exclusively for the Laurel & Hardy movies.
Padma Talkies also catered to the local Marathi audience by showcasing a number of famous films of the bygone era – Swarajyacha Seemevar, Shevgyachya Shenga, Manini, Doodh Bhaat, Amhi Jato Amchya Gaavi, Ithe Shahane Rahatat, Hi Marathichi Nagari, Ranglya Ratri Ashya, Bala Jojo Re, Bala Gau Kashi Angayee, Jyoyibacha Nawas, Chimni Pakhre and Balgandharav, among a host of others. The film Manini ran for 75 weeks, of which the first 4 week’s shows were arranged exclusively for women. Jyotibacha Nawas ran for 23 weeks and thereafter for the next 7-8 years, the film was screened specially during the deity Jyotiba’s Yatra. The 3 pm show was reserved for women and the cinema hall provided separate seating arrangements for women for all the other shows.
Hindi films, the cinema hall’s mainstay, have seen hugely successful runs. V Shantaram’s iconic film Navrang ran for 31 weeks and Bhakti Pundalik for 30 weeks. Tohfaa ran for 25 weeks, Dil To Pagal Hai 35 weeks, and Raja Hindustani 13 weeks, of which 6 weeks were house full. When Ek Duje Ke Liye completed 26 weeks, producer LV Prasad was so pleased that he came to Kolhapur and handed over a bonus to the cinema staff in person!
The other blockbusters screened over the years were Anmol Ghadi, Chitralekha, Nal Damyanti, Prithvi Vallabh, Akela, Jugnu, Bhakta Pundalik, Dahej, Maldaar, Raja Harishchandra, Mayurpankhi, Ayodhya Patti, Gunga Jumuna, Navraang, Chaudavi Ka Chand, Hum Dono, Mere Mehboob, Ganga KiLehre, Geet Gaya Patharo Ne, Guide, Bluff Master, Kashmir Ki Kali, Around The World, Kala Pathar, Andhi, Aradhana, Dushmaan, Farz, Jeevan Mrityu, Johnny Mera Naam, Milan, Kabhie Kabhie, Sasural, Khoobsoorat, Disco Dancer, Nadiyaan Ke Paar, Pukaar, Meri Jung, Naache Mayuri, Naseeb Apna Apna,Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi,Tridev, Lamhe, Aaj Ka Goondaraj, Aankhein, Hum Hai Rahi Pyaar Ke, Mohra, Karan Arjun, Gupt, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Taal, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gam, Koi Mil Gaya, Rang De Basanti, Dhoom Series, Chak De India, Tare Zameen Par, Dabaang 1 & 2, Rowdy Rathore, Ek Tha Tiger, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Kick, PK and Badlapur.
For the last 20 years, Yash Raj Films, Dharma Productions and UTV have always found
screening space at the cinema. Prior to this, LV Prasad, Rajashri, Shringar Films, BRA Films and Modern Movies preferred Padma as their choice of screen. The staff fondly recalls that when Mohra was screened, repeat audiences would pay the full ticket price only to watch the then popular hit song ‘Tu cheez badi hai mast mast’ in the film and leave the auditorium promptly thereafter.
Padma Talkies is flanked on either side by five other single-screen cinemas but it is the most frequented theatre in the area. The fact that most small business establishments in and around carry the name ‘Padma’ in their titles speaks of the immense popularity of this landmark cinema hall. Of late, diehard patrons of Padma Talkies have grouped into Star Fan Clubs (mandals). Each new release of their favourite stars is inaugurated at the theatre by the fan clubs with the beating of drums, bursting of firecrackers and garlanding of their favourite film star hoardings.
Most single-screens, pan-India, have not been able to withstand the exodus of avid cine-goers seeking the plush multiplex screen experience. They have been forced to either convert to smaller screens or simply close down what has now become an unprofitable business. Not so Padma Talkies, which has wisely taken into account the need to always move with the technological times and keep improving the cinematic experience for its loyal audiences. The focus has consistently been on improving sound, light, picture quality, seating comfort and cleanliness. The theatre has undergone periodic renovations and refurbishing in 1976, 1978, 1991, 1995, 2004, 2009 and is currently slated to undergo a facelift this year too.
Over the years, the seating arrangements in the theatre have seen a sea change. In the beginning, there were 4 classes – 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Balcony Class with a separate section for women. In 2004, an Executive Class was introduced. In the olden days, wooden benches were the order of the day. In 1996, the wooden chairs were replaced with metal chairs and cushioned chairs for patrons of the balcony only. From 2004, balcony patrons were provided the comfort of reclining multiplex chairs. The year 2009 saw patrons of all classes enjoying the same seating comfort in an ambiance at par with multiplex cinemas.
The ticketing system is fully computerised. Earlier, it was manual with colour coding for each of the daily shows and also for days of the week. Since 2009, it is the only theatre in Kolhapur using the Impact Computerised Ticketing system. Advance bookings can be made online through BookMyShow as well as at the cinema from 10 am to 10 pm. Most of the staff has been working with the theatre for 35-40 years, which speaks volumes for their unstinting loyalty and love of cinema. They also know a sizeable number of the regular patrons by name.
However, all is not completely hunky dory for Padma Talkies. The cinema hall has a large seating capacity and the cost of maintenance for its old building is quite prohibitive. When a film flops, disappointed movie fans are known to vent their anger on theatre property and the cost of repairs is high.
Moreover, the new corporate culture in the film industry has changed the economics of the business for single-screen owners. When it comes to distribution, the production houses of yesteryear were quite sympathetic towards old theatre owners. Unfortunately, most of these production houses have shut down and it is now the new breed of corporate distributors who have a say in the sharing pattern of the gross collections for cinema owners. While fixing ticket rates, these distributors are not quite in tune with the spending power of B-town audiences which comprise largely of low-budget rural folk, students and youngsters. Policy-making in this respect appears to favour multiplexes vis-a-vis single-screens.
Single-screens have withstood the test of time and have been generating revenue for the film industry and the government for decades. Yet when it comes to profit-sharing of the gross ticket sales, as is the arrangement with multiplexes, single-screens have had to be satisfied with low weekly rentals. Single-screen owners in Maharashtra state pay high entertainment tax which is not levied on multiplexes. Incidentally, Padma Talkies has been the highest entertainment taxpayer in the district for many decades. So, quite justifiably, single-screen owners feel that they are drawing the short end of the stick and receiving step-motherly treatment from policy-framers.
Despite all the constraints and glaring disparities faced as owners of a single-screen, the Ingles have braved the currents and stayed afloat. The crux of this remarkable success story lies in Padma Talkies being audience-centric and constantly upgrading the movie-going experience so that the cash register keeps ringing. With regular renovations, following latest trends in theatrical decor and providing large screen size, improved sound and projector systems, comfortable seating, good service and more importantly keeping the prices of tickets low, Padma Talkies has adeptly kept itself in the race.
It has steadily built immense drawing power despite stiff competition from other cinemas/multiplexes doing business in Kolhapur city. “A movie becomes a super hit when there are repeat audiences and today I feel that this is possible only at low-priced, single-screen theatres,” opines Gauri Ingle. Low ticket prices and a satisfying movie experience is the icing on the cake for ardent movie audiences at Padma Talkies.
It is evident that the Ingles have done their arithmetic well as their “janataplex for the aam aadmi” (as they fondly refer to it) has consistently shown profits through the 75 years of its existence – a singular accomplishment. Little wonder then that the owners, past or present, have never had to entertain the idea of a final curtain call for their cinema hall, like so many of their unfortunate colleagues in the business. To quote Ruturaj Ingle, “The show will go on at Padma Talkies as long as eager audiences turn up faithfully for the next film release and we hope to keep them coming to us.”
