Cinema Pe Cinema And The Theatres That Raised Us

Devyani Vijayvargiya

Picture Credit: Mubi

Cinema Pe Cinema is a reflective documentary that mourns the slow disappearance of single-screen theatres that once functioned as social anchors. The documentary looks at cinema not just as a form of entertainment, but as a shared social experience that bloomed with the emergence of single-screen theatres in the country. Being the protagonist of the documentary, cinema halls are treated as living spaces filled with memories and emotional attachment, positioning them as cultural landmarks rather than obsolete buildings.

One of the film’s strongest impulses is its insistence on cinema as a collective experience and social spaces to learn, escape and find connection. The director observed that people “laughed differently, cried differently, but they were still cheering together”, highlighting cinema-going as a collective ritual rather than an individual act. Through stories of people whose lives are closely tied to these cinemas, the film highlights the emotional bond between audiences and their local theatres. It also emphasises their importance not only as collective social spaces but also as a tool and medium of learning different languages, cultures, etc.

In its attempt to trace the many roles single-screen theatres have played, Cinema Pe Cinema brings together multiple strands. This includes cultural history, social commentary, personal memories and a critique of multiplex culture. These ideas are introduced with sensitivity and warmth, often focusing on emotional resonance. While the themes are all relevant, the documentary does not spend enough time exploring any in depth. Anecdotes, reflections, and ideas pile up, often creating a mosaic of sentiments rather than a clearly articulated journey.

Picture Credit: Film South Asia

The director described Cinema Pe Cinema as a film that consciously shifted its gaze from architecture to people, stating that “the cinema on the screen is one part of the story, but the audience is what makes the theatre come alive.” She stated that it took 10 years to complete the documentary, which might explain the layered quality of the film, shaped by changing time, memory, and relationships with cinema.

Cinema Pe Cinema works best as an emotional tribute to single-screen theatres and the communities that sustained them. The film leaves the viewer with a strong sense of nostalgia and affection for a cinema-going culture that is slowly fading.