Shore leave days- Cinema in Bombay 50s-60s 70s:-
We said Seeing a Cinema or Picture!! Long before the word Movie or the term Bolly wood was heard of -Yes it was a city for the latest cinema shows. Also in decent theatres of those times and very economical, good crowds and it was nice.
I am not sure if I wrote on Bombay Cinemas - but in 1963 when I came for Dufferin Interview, pending out comes on result of final selected list , saw 2 Movies as the waiting tension was getting to me-
1) The Longest Day- at King Circle Cinema -got directions and went for the 5 Pm show and liked the film
2) DR NO--starring James Bond 007 Sean Connery's first Bond film and the new find Ursula Andress and her Bikini was a big hit (LOL) and the song " Underneath the Mango tree -I think it was at Eros and a major sellout.
Soon I learnt that I was was selected and after Eye-sight test etc joined Training. A month later we were in the Routine.
We only got Shore leave on alternate sundays. 2/month max.
This was ok as we had limited funds. We had to stay in Uniform on such Shore leaves -all the time for ID .
Movies in AC comfort then was a priority at Rs.1/ 33 Ticket or Rs. 2./62.
We did not snack in theatres then as we do now at a cost higher than the ticket!!
Strand, Eros, Regal and Metro were our fav spot and after for lunch at 1 pm-
A day was happily spent between 10 am to 7 pm on a shoestring budget of Rs.8/ plus 2/- inc toiletries shoe polish, paste etc . Then back from VT to Dockyard Rail Station or bus and the Launch at Mazagaon Pier at 7pm-sharp . Miss the launch and you were Out...
EROS Theatre was also a fav as the Manager there was my Batch mate (late ) Ulhas Rao's Father Mr K Rao, Kannada gentleman from Udipi and would help us get seats in advance on sunday matinees of rush days.
My batch friend Ulhas K Rao passed away 5 years ago (RIP)
VT- Ballard Pier to Metro to Colaba were all walking distances and so we walked We Dufferin cadets were give the facility to use the facilities at Seafarers Club at Ballard Pier. Play TT. Some played Billiards or just shared a soft drink -
Eat at Neelam or Sher e punjab near by or Dilkush Vishranti for Udipi snacks--or at Mondegar Cafe the Juke box at 25 paisa per song(LOL) plus snacks and thumbs up at Colaba and to Regal- Eros or Strand.The ultimate budget was the deciding factor or miss evening meal . Hmmm. 2/50 on Brun-Maska Chai in Irani hotels with Omlette was also seen as a saver or Masala Dosa at Dilkush.
Life was easy and economical and Carefree.
We walked on average at least 5-10 km on a shore leave day.
Simple times but fun and carefree .
rgds
TR
