Pune’s landmark Prabhat Talkies

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older Punekar piece on the theater:

Pune’s oldest cinema hall, Prabhat Theatre in Budhwar Peth, turned 75 on Monday. And as a birthday gift to itself, the theatre authorities are planning to break down the structure and turn it into a multiplex.

Anil Damle, director, Prabhat Theatre, told MiD DAY we are seriously contemplating converting the single screen theatre into a multiplex. “This is the need of the hour and Puneites will also get more options at Prabhat.” The theatre is known for screening Marathi films exclusively and that is likely to continue.

The theatre, which was built by the famous Prabhat Film Company on September 21, 1934, to screen their own films is now a landmark in the city. Till 1937, it was known as Kibe Laxmi Theatre. “Super hit films like Kunku, Padosi and Aadmi were screened for the first time at Prabhat Theatre,” said Damle.

Prabhat has total seating capacity of 893, which needs to be enhanced, and a multiplex is the only practical option, according to Damle.

The original Kibe Laxmi Theatre was owned by Sardar Kibe from Indore, but it was leased to the Damle family in 1937. “Prabhat will attract a young crowd now that Marathi films are making big waves like Harichandrachi Factory, which has been selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars,” said Damle.

Damle said that under the Prabhat Film Company banner they had made a documentary called It’s Prabhat, which bagged a National Award.

“We are now making a documentary on our grandfather Vishnupant Damle, one of the pillars of Prabhat Film Company,” said Damle.