Mumbai’s iconic Gaiety Galaxy cinema complex in Bandra has temporarily stopped film screenings, following action by the Mumbai Police over alleged licensing and regulatory lapses.
The theatre reportedly suspended shows from Monday, September 7, after the Bandra Police issued a notice directing the management to halt operations.
The development has sparked attention because Gaiety Galaxy is one of Mumbai’s most recognisable cinema landmarks and has been closely associated with Bollywood’s mass-audience culture for more than five decades.
The police action reportedly followed an incident linked to the removal of Hanuman Ansh from the theatre’s screening schedule.
According to reports, a group of people protested outside the cinema after the film was allegedly not given screening space. During the commotion, posters of Mirzapur: The Movie were reportedly damaged. Police subsequently registered a case against several protesters.
As part of the investigation, police officials visited the Gaiety Galaxy premises and conducted an inspection. During the inquiry, authorities reportedly found technical issues at the theatre as well as mandatory licences and certificates that had not been renewed.
Reports state that the theatre’s entertainment licence had remained unrenewed since 2021. Following the findings, police issued a notice instructing the management to keep the premises closed until the regulatory requirements are addressed.
A case has also reportedly been registered against the theatre operators under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The temporary shutdown came shortly after Gaiety Galaxy witnessed a packed screening of Mirzapur: The Movie.
Actor Ali Fazal, who plays Guddu Pandit in the Mirzapur franchise, had visited the iconic theatre and shared footage of enthusiastic fans cheering and chanting for his character.
The sudden halt in screenings has therefore drawn considerable attention among Mumbai moviegoers and Bollywood fans.
While reports have focused on the licence issue, theatre owner Manoj Desai has given a different explanation for the suspension of screenings.
Desai said the immediate problem was technical, claiming that some electrical cables inside the theatre had been damaged or burnt. According to him, replacement cables need to be sourced from Lohar Chawl in South Mumbai before screenings can resume.
He maintained that the shutdown was related to the electrical work and described it as a temporary technical issue.
The differing explanations have added uncertainty over the exact circumstances surrounding the closure. While the police action reportedly relates to licensing and regulatory compliance, the theatre management has highlighted the electrical cable problem as the reason shows cannot currently continue.
The reported licensing issue has become the central point of the police action.
According to reports, the Theatre Branch discovered during its inquiry that the necessary entertainment licence had not been renewed since 2021. Officials have reportedly indicated that the cinema can resume operations once the required licensing formalities are completed.
The closure comes amid renewed scrutiny of safety and regulatory compliance at the long-running cinema complex. Gaiety Galaxy also witnessed a major fire incident in 2015, adding to the focus on safety measures at the premises.
There is currently no confirmed reopening date for Gaiety Galaxy.
The cinema is expected to remain closed until the issues highlighted by authorities are resolved. While the police have reportedly linked the action to the theatre’s licensing status, the management has also said that electrical cable replacement work needs to be completed.
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