Special attention needed to maintain the beauty of Vitthalrao Tupe Theater – DCM Ajit Pawar

Pune : Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar visited the Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Complex in Hadapsar, Pune Municipal Corporation, where he inspected the Vitthalrao Tupe Theater. During his visit, he emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness, ensuring regular repairs, and paying special attention to preserving the theater’s beauty.

MLA Chetan Tupe, Pune Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosle, Former Mayor Vaishali Bankar, City Engineer Prashant Waghmare, Deputy Commissioner (Cultural) Sunil Ballal, Chief Engineer (Building) Yuvraj Deshmukh, Assistant Commissioner of Hadapsar Zonal Office Balasaheb Dhavale Patil, Former Standing Committee Chairman Baburao Chandere, and Former Corporator Sunil Bankar were also present at the event.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawar highlighted Pune’s rich tradition of drama and expressed the need for modern theaters in areas like Hadapsar, alongside those in Yerawada, Vadgaon Sheri, and Pimpri-Chinchwad. He noted that the Vitthalrao Tupe Theater in Hadapsar will benefit theater enthusiasts and art lovers in the area.

During discussions with Commissioner Dr. Bhosle, Pawar pointed out that buildings left incomplete due to a lack of funds should be prioritized for completion. Bhosle mentioned that plans are already in place to complete 22 such buildings by allocating funds on a priority basis.

The commissioner also stated that the rental rate for the theater has been set at Rs 10,000. After consulting with theater producers and directors, a balanced rent can be determined to ensure affordability while providing the municipal corporation with enough revenue to maintain the theater. Pawar suggested that solar panels could be installed on the theater’s roof to generate electricity. Given the latest solar technology, which generates more power using smaller panels, this should be considered for cost-efficiency.

Key Features of Vitthalrao Tupe Theater

The Vitthalrao Tupe Theater, developed by the Pune Municipal Corporation in 2011, occupies an area of 5,767 square meters within a total area of 2 acres in Hadapsar. The theater building consists of a ground floor and three additional floors. The ground floor features a loading/unloading ramp, a ticket hall, and a cafeteria. The theater has a seating capacity of 838, with 659 seats in front of the stage and 179 seats in the balcony. The stage itself is a grand 90 by 45 feet.

An impressive and spacious entrance has been constructed at the front. Additionally, there is a VIP room on the ground floor, along with 10 green rooms spread across the ground and first floors. Parking facilities for 107 four-wheelers and 357 two-wheelers have been provided.

The entire theater is equipped with modern amenities, including air conditioning. Salon slats have been used for the acoustic treatment of the ceiling and walls, and stitched fabric has been used for interior design. The Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Complex also houses an art gallery of approximately 10,000 square feet for exhibitions and art lovers on the third floor. The total cost of these developments is around Rs. 50 crore.