The number of single-screen cinemas in India has gone down to 10,000 from 13,000 over a five-period to 2012. And they are continuing to shut down.
Updated: May 03, 2014, 12:00 AM
In pictures: Last full show for single-screen cinemas in India
New Excelsior cinema staff wait for patrons, which are now fill up only between 5 per cent and 10 per cent of the 1,100 capacity. Subhash Sharma for The National
The New Excelsior cinema, which seats 1,100 moviegoers. Subhash Sharma for The National
Nazir Hoosein, the owner of Liberty cinema, stopped screening Bollywood movies in October 2012 and concentrated on hosting live shows and film festivals. Subhash Sharma for The National
The interior of New Excelsior cinema. Subhash Sharma for The National
The empty lounge of the New Excelsior cinema, where patronage has gone down with the proliferation of multiplexes. Subhash Sharma for The National
Not even a blockbuster movie like Spider-Man 2 could draw in film buffs at New Excelsior cinema. Subhash Sharma for The National
A thin crowd at the New Excelsior cinema, which boasts of the largest screen size in Asia, while a Bollywood movie is being shown. Subhash Sharma for The National
The owners of single-screen cinemas like the New Excelsior, above, survive in part from the rent they receive from tenants and other small business that feed off the foot traffic provided by the cinema’s location. Subhash Sharma for The National