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Hidden Stories | From a 1910s shed to a Neo-Classical landmark: The forgotten story of Pune’s very first movie theatre

In 1931, the Napier Cinema in Poona Cantonment had transformed into a West End cinema. Among the American films being screened at Napier was The Broken Coin (1915), an adventure-mystery series directed by Francis Ford.

4 min readPuneJan 17, 2026 02:31 PM IST

In the book, Mehera-Meher: A Divine Romance, by David Fenster, there is a mention of American films being screened at Napier, and among them was The Broken Coin (1915), an adventure-mystery series directed by Francis Ford. (Express photo)

The history of going to the movies in Pune started in a shed in the 1910s. This was Napier Cinema, considered the first theatre in the city. In the era of silent films, this makeshift space in Poona Cantonment would transport paying audiences to other worlds, demonstrating the abiding power of cinema.

“Every week there was a new episode, but they eventually became tired of it as the story went on forever with no conclusion,” Fenster mentioned in the book. Around the cinema were landmarks, such as a fountain and a bandstand where The Napier Cinema Band would play.

Mustansir Dalvi, an architect and professor of architecture, in a blog post, A Cinema House in Poona, “with time and waxing popularity, the Napier was refurbished by 1919, or thereabouts, into a fairly well-boned neo-Classical building, with timber framing and a stone gable, punctuated with a Baroque-ish front”.

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“The Napier was very popular, and is mentioned in several accounts of Poona at the time. One peculiar feature was the screening of (what we today call) serials, short features of interminable stories that attracted the masses to the theatre weekly,” writes Dalvi.

He was introduced to the cinema in his childhood in Pune. But by then, Napier was no longer called that. It had transformed into a West End cinema in 1931. Even in the new building, which carried the name, West End, twice on the facade – on the second floor balcony balustrade and once on the vertical mast on top of the building – one could see the gable and the timber staircase of the old theatre. The premises had a low boundary wall, with posters of the shows prominently displayed.

“While West End was not an Art Deco building, the new front, which had a cantilevered porch, fake arches, and vertical ornament striping its sides, fit the fashions of the time. The West End shows some proto-Deco flattened ornament, sloping chajjas, and a Palladian symmetry. This can be seen in the protruding porch supported on concrete brackets,” says Dalvi.

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He says that, by the late 1960s and early 1980s, the cinema was screening films of dubious merit from around the world, such as the American production Sssssssnake, whose tagline was ‘Once this motion picture sinks its fangs into you, you’ll never be the same’, and 3 Fantastic Supermen from Italy that is campy and, according to some critics, has acquired cult status.

“I, particularly, remember being taken to watch Lost in the Desert from South Africa as an outing from school when I was in Class II or III. It was a horribly traumatic choice for us considering the terrible things that happen to the child in the film, including being spat in the eye by a venomous snake, after surviving a plane crash,” writes Dalvi.

The West End was demolished in the 1980s, bringing down the curtains on an era of cinema-going in Pune.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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