This used to me and my friends’ hangout zone back in school and college days. And yes we did hangout. Long before the multiplex culture was in New Empire had hangout zones. Gaming Parlour, Ice-cream Parlour, Cyber-Cafe, Bar, Restaurant, Pop-Corn counter, Candyfloss, A coffee shop named Aqua Java to the likes. It was really a fun zone. Located in the heart of the city it was perfect fro school bunk and fun. The screen and sound were just terrific, and yes I am considering today’s multiplexes too. It was way better than any multiplexes that operates. I always loved huge screens in favour of the smaller ones in multiplexes and sound was really too good. Seating were perfect and comfortable.
Above all it was the theatre where only English movies used to run and almost all english movies that were released in India. But just few years back I was in city and went to see "3 Idiots" in New Empire. First shock was the hindi movie in New Empire, second the hall was dilapidated. Seats were wearing out, sound was not that great and the screen looked dark. They have not spent money at all where I left the city 10 years ago.
Although I found a KFC opened and a Barista and Domino’s out let and a couple of fast food and cookie and ice cream parlour opened up. But I really felt nostalgic about New Empire in its hay days and sorry for the present condition.