Himachal wants to host national film fest at Gaiety Theatre

As the restoration of the historical Gaiety Theatre here is nearing completion, Himachal Pradesh has approached the central government for holding the National Film Festival at the theatre.

As the restoration of the historical Gaiety Theatre here is nearing completion, Himachal Pradesh has approached the central government for holding the National Film Festival at the theatre, officials said Monday.

"The restoration of the Gaiety Theatre would be completed by March-end. So we have decided to send a proposal to the ministry of information and broadcasting to hold the next Indian panorama of National Film Festival here to revive past glory of the building," Language, Art and Culture Department director Prem Sharma told IANS.

He said all facilities for organising cultural activities would be created within the premises for the convenience of art lovers and the more than 120-year-old theatre would again become the venue for national and international events.

The Gaiety Theatre is a historic building from the British era.

The state government has formulated a Rs.120 million plan to undertake its restoration work after carrying out study and research to ascertain that the restoration is done as per its original architecture and style.

Prominent artistes like Prithvi Raj Kapoor, K.L. Sehgal, and Balraj Sahni had performed here.