The iconic Everest Talkies could soon be repurposed from a single-screen theatre to a cultural space

It could turn out to be a David vs. Goliath story, with a modern twist. At a time when single-screen theatres are being gobbled up by multiplexes, the young proprietor of the iconic Everest Talkies, in Fraser Town, Bengaluru, has a new survival concept for his theatre.

Yogi Kshatriya (29) wants to repurpose his single-screen theatre into a cultural space. This idea that has been in “incubation” since 2015, is now taking shape. He is in talks with an interested party to begin a joint venture, which could turn the 10,000 sq.ft space, run by three generations of Kshatriyas, into a profitable enterprise next year.

His idea is simple: build a stage, but retain the screen. The space can then be thrown open to jazz jam sessions, stand-up comedy gigs, product launches, poetry readings or screenings of international films. “With proper investment on board… maybe an F&B space,” he says.

Limited choices

“When I studied in the U.K. in 2009-10, there were multiple things to do every weekend. I remember a huge warehouse, with second-hand sofas lying around; we just bought a ticket and lounged around. But here, our options are limited; we go either to a bar, pub, a café or restaurant. I want to hold events,” he says.

In spite of overhead costs cutting into profits at Everest, Mr. Kshatriya joined up with Vikalp, a network of documentary filmmakers in India, in 2014, to screen documentaries every fourth Thursday of the month at the theatre. The goal: to have a constant audience and to make the sessions interactive.

“My condition was that it should be free and an educational experience,” says Mr. Kshatriya, who studied Imaging and Communication at Goldsmiths, University of London, and is making a documentary film himself.

A donation box has been placed at the theatre entrance for contributions. After the screening, there is a Q & A session with the director or anyone associated with the film. “We now have 40 to 50 regulars who come for the viewing. This has been a test for me,” says Mr. Kshatriya, who views the screenings as the first step towards the theatre’s transition to an event hub.

Stiff competition

Two landmark single screens Tribhuvan and Kailash shut down in April in the city, and Mr. Kshatriya has been approached by big builders.

“My heart won’t let me sell it. I can’t put a lock on this iconic place. I ran around here as a child and watched the spools unwind. We still have an audience. But, just 1 km away a multiplex with six screens is about to open,” he says, ruefully.

But the show must go on… And this time next year, we could be lounging on sofas laughing at a stand-up comedian at Everest Talkies.

• Yogi Kshatriya, current owner of the theatre is in talks to begin a joint venture
• He wants to throw the space open for jazz jam sessions, stand-up gigs, among others

• Documentaries are screened every fourth Thursday of the month at the theatre
• Afterwards, there is a Q & A with the director or anyone associated with the film

• Two landmark single screens Tribhuvan and Kailash shut down in April in the city
• ‘My heart won’t let me sell it. I can’t put a lock on this iconic place’
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source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Litta Jacob / Bengaluru – July 08th, 2016