As the colors of Holi spread joy across the nation, cinema lovers are in for a treat that promises to paint their weekend with strokes of nostalgia. In an exciting move to celebrate cinematic classics, Cinépolis India, the nation’s pioneering international movie exhibitor, is hosting the Retro Film Festival, reigniting the passion for the illustrious 90s era of Bollywood.
This grand event, slated for 22nd to 30th March 2024, marks a collaboration with the distinguished Venus Entertainment and Atul Sabharwal’s Yippee Ki Yay Motion Pictures, aiming to recreate the glory of the times when stories were larger than life and film stars were nearly akin to deities for their fans.
The Retro Film Festival intends to transform 25 Cinépolis theatres into portals to the past, where audience members can step back in time to experience the dramatic flair and thrill of three milestone films – ‘Main Khiladi Tu Anari’, ‘Khiladi’, and ‘Baazigar’. The chosen theaters include a wide array of locations from the Cinepolis chains such as Ahmedabad, Patna, Ranchi, Surat, Vadodara, Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Jaipur, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mohali, Muzaffarpur, Nagpur, the Delhi NCR, NOIDA, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Pune.
Every day of the festival will see two screenings, offering a matinee at 1 pm and an evening show at 7 pm, designed to cater to the varied schedules of Bollywood enthusiasts.
In an era where social media bridges the gap between stars and their admirers, celebrated actress Kajol, who played a decisive role in ‘Baazigar’, took to Instagram to spread the word about the festival. Her post certainly adds to the anticipation and enthusiasm surrounding the event.
Devang Sampat, the CEO of Cinépolis India, expressed his excitement for the festival, saying: “We are excited to present the Cinépolis Retro Film Festival, a unique cinematic journey that transcends time and transports audiences back to the ’90s. Our objective is to rekindle the nostalgia associated with these iconic movies, providing a one-of-a-kind experience for movie enthusiasts of all ages.”
These carefully selected films are more than just entertainment; they’re time capsules that preserve the essence of an era that shaped the Indian film industry as we know it today. Featuring a roster of legends whose performances and direction created the backbone of Bollywood’s global repute, the festival is not only a tribute to these timeless classics but also to the creators and artists who brought them to life.
To make this event as inclusive as possible, Cinépolis ensures that the tickets are easily accessible through various channels. Moviegoers can obtain their passes through multiple booking platforms including BookMyShow, Paytm, and the Cinépolis website and app, as well the traditional Point of Sale (POS) systems at the cinema locations.
The Retro Film Festival is an endeavor to bridge generations – for the older crowd, it’s a gateway to days bygone, and for the younger watchers, it’s a rare opportunity to witness the films that laid the groundwork for today’s Bollywood film industry.
So, as we gear up for a Holi painted with the hues of yesteryears, let the magic of the movies take you on a spellbinding journey down memory lane where the thrills, emotions, and drama of the 90s await to captivate hearts once again. Grab your tickets, round up your friends and family, and prepare to experience an enchanting reunion with the unforgettable Bollywood blockbusters of an iconic decade.
