Most of these cinegoers probably enjoyed watching films even on their smartphones but the lure of the big screen continued to catch their fancy, as Professor Woods pointed out later, during a panel discussion on the subject. It was this thought that got me thinking about this fantasy wonderland and their fragile existence in today's Bombay. And more importantly, why it is important that they continue to have their place in the sun, in the city's heady, chaotic and ever-churning film industry. While their somewhat decrepit versions of Art Deco themed interiors (on a smaller scale compared to Regal and Liberty) have a rustic vintage touch, it is the charm of the contrast that will make the first-timer smile at what's in store. The interiors are dark, dingy and not in great shape, overall. Yet, once the projector starts rolling, all is forgotten, and life becomes the movie for those two or three hours.

These single screen cinemas, like say, the threatened Udipis or the fast-fading Hindu Lunch Homes, face an ever-looming threat from several factors, many of which are not even in their control, like real estate sharks, high rentals, redevelopment, and then, there is all-pervading impact of an unpredictable economy. In such scenarios, even a ticket worth R50 or R60 is an expensive pastime for this migrant worker who depends on daily wages or a low income job in a retail store to realise his dream. The cinema hall owner and his prime audience member are in reality, staring at the same precarious future.

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Who can step in to insure their existence? Several solutions came up at that session, and yet, some, like a theatre manager in the audience, shared a few hard facts about single screen owners being under tremendous pressure to stay alive. Some, like the resilient late Nazir Hoosein, had opened up Liberty for other events like film festivals and performances. The city's single screens for regional cinema like those in Byculla and Grant Road cannot be allowed to fade away because of their truly unique contribution to the cine landscape of Bombay. One hopes that the 'House Full' sign outside these technicolour dream houses remain, and that they never have to shut down. How they manage to sustain themselves going forward is something that their owners ought to keep in mind and act accordingly.

Bombay will be poorer without them, for sure. The City of Dreams ought to play out its part towards a happy ending for them long after the credits roll, shouldn't it?

mid-day's Features Editor Fiona Fernandez relishes the city’s sights, sounds, smells and stones...wherever the ink and the inclination takes her. She tweets @bombayana
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