Paradise Cinema, a storied landmark in Mumbai’s Mahim area, has temporarily ceased its operations, leaving the local community awash with speculation regarding its future. The cinema, famously situated on Lady Jamshedji Road, has long absorbed attention along with the notorious traffic snarls and Sitladevi Mandir. However, the once vibrant theatre, known for its spectacular film screenings, now appears desolate, with posters removed and gates firmly locked.
In recent weeks, rumours have swirled around the fate of Paradise Cinema, leading to a sense of unease among cinephiles and heritage enthusiasts alike. Suggestions that the 1939-1940 establishment might be transformed into a modern multiplex have particularly fueled debate. However, Niloufer Dubash, a member of the family that owns the cinema, affirmed that no final decisions have been made. “We have closed because there was no good stock of movies,” Dubash mentioned when contacted. She humorously added that talks of converting the space into a parking lot were mere speculations, noting, “We are looking at a change, but what that may be is something we, ourselves, are uncertain of at this point in time. I’m not saying neither is true. It’s all rumours till we take a call on this.”
A visit to the cinema last Monday revealed the site’s vacant state. A security guard shared that the last film to draw substantial crowds was “Fighter,” back in January. While the single-screen theatre discontinued film screenings before June, its complete closure came in early August. “We stopped playing films before Munjya and Kalki: 2898 AD released,” the guard stated.
The theatre’s interruption in service marks a significant shift for Mumbai’s cultural landscape.
. Paradise Cinema was originally constructed by Sorabji Bhathena and was later obtained by Shavaksha and Bapuji Dubash. Over the years, the Dubash family’s passion for cinema and sharp business acumen turned it into a beloved venue. The theatre even went through a temporary closure in the early 2000s but revived during the release of “Golmaal Returns” in 2008, at which point it was renamed Paradise E-Square in collaboration with E-Square Cinemas.
The recent closure is not just a story of business or entertainment; it reflects the broader, ongoing changes within Mumbai itself. Paradise Cinema holds an emotional value for many, having been in operation for over 80 years. The nostalgia attached to its years of film screenings resonates deeply with the local community and long-time patrons who recall watching classics and blockbuster releases within its now silent halls.
From the grand architecture to the popcorn kiosks that served as social hubs for friends and families, every inch of Paradise Cinema is etched in memories. The area around the cinema, much like the cinema itself, has evolved, yet for many, Paradise was a constant—a respite from the bustling city life, offering captivating dramas, comedies, and romances on its single screen.
Dubash’s uncertainty about the future, while providing room for various speculations, has left movie lovers anxious about retaining some slice of the past amidst rapid urban transformations. Could it be another multiplex, adding to the growing list of luxury cinema experiences, or will it take on an entirely new avatar, serving a different purpose but embedded with tales of its venerable past?
The Mahim neighborhood and its residents are left pondering these questions. The closure of Paradise Cinema is akin to the closing of a chapter. Old-time patrons reminisce about the theatre’s ‘golden era,’ while today’s youth, who perhaps never experienced the aura of classical single-screen cinemas, are left wondering what will rise in its place.
As Lady Jamshedji Road adapts to yet another wave of change, the fate of Paradise Cinema hangs in the balance, waiting for a new narrative to unfold. Whatever the future holds, the legacy of this cinematic sanctuary continues to live on in the hearts and minds of its devotees. For now, the silver screens remain dark, but the story of Paradise Cinema and its indelible impact on Mumbai’s cultural fabric remains brightly etched in history.
