[Reader-list] Photographic Study of Bombay's Cinema Halls

[Zubin Pastakia]

Hi All,

I am a freelance photographer living in Bombay. I also have worked in
various capacities from pre to post-production in documentary films
and advertisements.

My project, "A Photographic Study of Bombay's Cinema Halls as a
Cultural Experience of Space" seeks to photographically examine the
cultural experience of different types of cinema halls in Bombay city.

In part, this is a semiological meditation on different urban spaces.
The photographs will illuminate the inherent sign-language in the
architecture, posters and other signage, hall seats, film reels,
tickets, toilets, snack counters, workers' uniforms, patron's
clothing, gender break-up etc. of these spaces.

More importantly, this is an attempt to illustrate the subjective
nature of the film-going experience. From the designer shop - to
cinema hall - to chain restaurant mall/multiplex experience, to the
still-standing single-screen bastions of the art-deco era, to the
musty largely male-dominated "c-grade" halls, the photographs will
evoke the unique experience of these different spaces.

By examining these spaces photographically, the project aims to
provide a rich and detailed socio-visual context to the ever-changing
urban cinematic experience -- thus situating film texts within various
cultural spaces.

The intention is to eventually produce a monograph on Bombay's cinema
halls as well as to exhibit the photographs publicly.

Recent Activity:

I have begun photographing New Empire opposite C.S.T station, Palace
Talkies near Byculla station,and Moti Talkies, which is off Falkland
Rd. So far my pictures have been a mix of worker portraits and spaces.

At this early stage in the project, I would like to know if there are
any SARAI people with any connections to any cinema hall
owners/managers etc. Alternatively, if someone has already conducted
research on any of Bombay's cinema halls, it would be nice to hear
your experiences and maybe even get some contacts that may help me
gain access to halls you have visited.

Best,

Zubin