Monihar Cinema Hall in Jashore – often described as the country's largest single-screen theatre and once a destination for film lovers from Japan, Korea, Africa, Australia, Russia, and England – is preparing to shut its doors after 42 years. Plans are underway to demolish the historic venue to make way for an expanded market and a residential hotel, owner Ziaul Islam Mithu confirmed.

Following a sharp decline in audiences after Eid, the hall has been struggling to stay afloat. With few Bangladeshi films releasing, management has resorted to screening Kolkata productions, including repeated runs of "Abhiman," yet attendance remains low. The adjacent multiplex, "Manihar Cineplex," will continue operations.

"There are no local films now – how can we run the hall without movies? We're currently showing Kolkata's 'Abhimaan', which we've already screened four times, and Salman Shah's 'Bikkhov' at the cineplex. This isn't sustainable, so we're planning to close the single-screen hall," Mithu told Kaler Kantho.

Rising losses and mounting expenses have forced the decision. "Our hall has 1,430 seats and a staff of 25. Monthly electricity bills alone can reach over a lakh taka," Mithu said. Architectural plans are being prepared to redevelop the site into a market extension with a sanctioned residential hotel and possibly another cineplex.

While no date has been set for demolition, Mithu noted that work will proceed once the designs receive approval and the country's economic situation stabilises. He stressed that the existing "Monihar Cineplex" will remain open.

Established on December 8, 1983, and designed by architect Kazi Mohammad Hanif, Monihar Cinema Hall quickly became a key hub of Dhallywood cinema. Its modern architecture and spacious seating made it a celebrated cultural landmark for decades.