Asha and Jina theatres to cease to be cinema halls in Manipur

Imphal, May 30: The Asha and Jina cinema halls, two distinct landmarks of Imphal city, are soon to be converted into a public conference hall and a children's school respectively, ending a saga that began some twenty years ago. The steadily declining fortunes of the two theatres, particularly after the ban imposed on screening of Hindi films by an underground outfit, forced the decision, the proprietor of the complex, Th. Haridas, told IFP. 'Partly because Hindi films are not being shown, and partly because of the proliferation of cable TV, these days it is impossible to fill the halls even to five per cent of their capacity," Haridas revealed. Haridas candidly admitted that the craze among filmgoers in Manipur was Hindi films, adding that English films, no matter how exciting, do not have sustainable viewership. Manipuri films too, are only of fleeting popularity, he said. He disclosed that the 280 feet long and 180 feet broad Asha hall, with a sitting capacity of 1375, would be converted into a conference hall, while the Jina hall would house a branch of the RK Sanatombi School, Pangei. He said it was being planned to start classes from nursery to class II from the next academic session on the ground floor of the Jina cinema hall. Plans are also on the anvil for housing a teachers' training college on the upper floors, he said, adding that modification of the building's interiors for the purpose was in progress, and would be completed soon. He added that the All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers Union, and other organizations which had offices in the cinema hall complex would be shifting out soon. However, the All Manipur 407 (Mini Tata) Drivers Welfare Union, will retain a small room to serve as their office. It may be mentioned that the Asha and Jina cinema halls were inaugurated way back in 1983, during the second chief ministership of Rishang Keishing. In its heyday, as many as 50 persons were employed in the complex, but according to Haridas, this number has been reduced to just two or three employees retained to perform essential maintenance. He added that it may be possible to re-employ some of those laid off after the school and the conference hall get going. Haridas observed that the downturn in the fortunes of the Asha and Jina halls after the ban on Hindi films was shared by other cinema halls in the state. If the trend continues, in five years everyone will have left the cinema business, he warned. Observing that this would be very unfortunate for Manipur, he stressed the need for a properly formulated film policy to tackle some of the problems faced by the exhibitors.