The Lightbox Theatre was once a favourite spot of A-list in Bollywood. The private, preview theatre hosted special shows and premieres where the stars gathered to watch films, away from the crowds of the ticket counters.
The theatre was launched in 2012 by Farhan Akhtar and business partner Ritesh Sidhwani and was an instant hit. Aamir Khan’s Dangal had its preview there in December.
Yesterday, we were passing by the theatre in question. A shock lay in store.
The scene had changed and how!
Image Source: SpotboyE Team
The building was deserted, and it was gathering dust and the entryway was firmly shuttered.
We decided to snoop around and the whispers we heard did not bode well for Farhan.
Farhan is not going through the best of times these days.
His last film, Rock On 2, failed at the box-office (It's All Over For Farhan Akhtar-Shradda Kapoor's Rock On 2, Nov 14, 2016). Then Shakti Kapoor interfered in his romance with Shraddha Kapoor (Shraddha Moves In With Lover Farhan, Papa Shakti Drags Her Back Home, Dec 28, 2016).
And now it looks like he may have to give up his pet project, the Lightbox Theatre.
Image Source: indiawest
According to whispers in the industry, Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani were forced to shut down the place and the reason seems to be financial in nature. And quite serious and complicated as well.
Farhan and Ritesh responded by shutting down Lightbox, to avoid a drain on their funds as the theatre’s upkeep is costly business.
The two head honchos of Excel Entertainment, Farhan and Ritesh, felt that it was not commercially viable to continue with the project.
Sad but true.
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