Daspalla Chitralaya is once again set to regale the people of the city in a new avatar – Daspalla Chitralayaa Mall - with wholesome entertainment besides a fun zone for kids, a food court and stores by leading retail brands.
Daspalla Chitralaya 70 mm had humble beginnings as ‘Garrison Theatre’, serving the Armed Forces of India during the Second World War. It was converted into a 35 mm non-AC theatre in 1963 with ‘Gumnaam’ as the starting picture. The theatre was refurbished, air-conditioned and christened as ‘Daspalla Chitralaya 70 mm AC theatre’ in 1983, Managing Director of Grandhi Theatres Private Limited G.K. Mangaraj recalled at a media conference on Friday.
The concept of ‘small is beautiful’ has been the guiding principle in the design, construction and leasing of the property. The built-up area of about 1 lakh square feet includes 55,000 sq. ft commercial space, 35,000 sq. ft. of multiplex and 15,000 sq. ft. of office space in future, spread over ground plus six floors.
The multiplex will have five screens to be operated by INOX. The smallest theatre will have 125 seats and the biggest will have 314 seats and the total seats in all the theatres put together will be 914, which was less than the 1,050 seats that Daspalla Chitralaya theatre had in the past, Mr. Mangaraj said.
A food court – Flavors@cinecourt – with a still from the magnum opus ‘Maya Bazaar’ showing S.V. Ranga Rao ready to devour mouth-watering dishes spread out before him and pictures of Telugu film stars over the years reflect the bond of the mall proprietors with the film industry.
A floating theatre, which is being set up for the first time in the city and a 9-D theatre were some of the other attractions at the mall.
General Manager of Lighthouse Mall Management Company Kshitij Kaundal spoke.
