Will it be end of the show for Bharatmata theatre?

It may be ‘the end’ for this cinema house in Parel.

It may be ‘the end’ for this cinema house in Parel.

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Bharatmata Talkies, a prominent city landmark, was on Thursday directed by the sessions court to evict and vacate the talkies.

The court directed the theatre owners to move out of the land, which it had taken on lease from the National Textile Corporation (NTC) nearly 72 years ago.

“The court has passed an eviction order against us,” said advocate Nitesh Mehta, who represents the theatre. “Now, we will move the Bombay High Court in due course.”

In 2002, NTC had issued a notice to the talkies to move out of their land. The theatre owners moved court against the notice and the case had since been pending.

“This is the only theatre in the city that has been showing Marathi movies exclusively for the past seven years,” said Mehta. “We have been trying to convince the government to allow us to continue.”

He alleged that the government had dragged its feet over the issue, due to some vested interest. “Now this theatre will be demolished and a residential complex might come up in its place,” said Mehta.

The court has stayed its order for six weeks to enable the theatre owners to go in appeal.

Mayor Shraddha Jadhav, who lives in the vicinity, has also made a strong plea to save Bharatmata. “Bharatmata occupies a vital role in our city and should be preserved,” she said.