Mumbai's iconic Gaiety-Galaxy multiplex remains closed for two months over expired license

Mumbai's famous G7 multiplex, widely known as Gaiety-Galaxy, marks two months of closure on November 7 after authorities ordered a shutdown due to an unrenewed license.

What Happened

What started as a small dispute led police to check the theatre documents during an investigation. Officers found that the venue had not renewed its license since the 2021-22 period. This non-compliance forced the management to close the premises. While people thought the issue would resolve in a week or two, nearly two months have passed without a fix. Major films like Drishyam The Conclusion, Jailer 2, and Ramayana missed screenings here, keeping fans away from stars like Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sunny Deol on the big screen.

Management Action

Manoj Desai, the executive director of G7 and Maratha Mandir, is working hard with his team to fix the government-related paperwork. Although the theatre has not earned any money since September 7, Desai continues to pay full salaries to all employees. Workers are thankful for the timely wages during the festival season, though they eagerly wait to welcome audiences back.

Industry Silence

An industry insider expressed shock at the complete lack of support from Bollywood actors. Many stars built their careers on the roaring crowds and mass reactions at Gaiety-Galaxy, often sharing promotional videos from inside the halls. Yet, not a single celebrity has spoken up or posted about the ongoing shutdown.

Context

Gaiety-Galaxy first opened on November 24, 1972, with Ramesh Sippy's film Seeta Aur Geeta. It started with three screens—Gaiety, Galaxy, and Gemini—and expanded in the late nineties to include four more theatres named Grace, Gem, Glamour, and Gossip.