The Indian cinematic fandom is everything it’s said out to be. Bollywood is one of the biggest movie industries in the world because of the fans that have put it in that position. From crowds waiting for hours outside celebrities’s houses to wish them a good morning to devout fans that have posters of actors and actresses in their home temples worshiping them, the craze of Indian cinema is sort of a collective trance that we willingly subscribe to. It was also this trance that enabled an Immigrant to buy a theater in 1974 in Toronto which in turn led to the the beginning of a diasporic and cultural movement.
We’re talking about Gian Naaz who started the iconic Naaz Theatre in Toronto. Gian would initially rent the theater to show Bollywood films for the South Asian community but the sheer number of viewers and popularity of the films compelled him to take ownership, especially in the 70s which is called the golden age of Hindi cinema. The Naaz Theatre at 1430 Gerrard Street East became a regular spot for the diaspora. The entire street turned into a little home away from home for the South Asian, community giving birth to what’s known as Little India today. Rimsha Minocha, a screenwriter and filmmaker from Mumbai dives into the theater’s history through the people that witnessed its 11-year run in her documentary '(not so) little India'.
In the documentary, business owners tell us the story of how Gerrard Street became Gerrard India Bazaar. Shortly after opening, the theater started encouraging South Asians to also open their businesses on the street. It started with a few food spots where people would have dinner after the movies and roam around a little before going home. Soon, clothing businesses emerged, offering traditional South Asian outfits. Little by little, the strip became home to over 200 stores that celebrated South Asian culture.
However, in 1985, Naaz Theatre shutdown due to the increasing prevelance of VHS tapes and eventually DVDs, but those who were there still remember how it brought people together and started a space for the diaspora when there was none. In Rimsha’s documentary the community reminisces the origin story of a vibrant commercial district with anecdotes from the time.
An article by Heritage Toronto chronicles how with the digitization of market places and newer generations unwilling to run the family businesses, Gerrard India Bazaar has gone through changes. But it’s not all bad. The heritage of Little India is still sustained, with events like the annual TD Festival of South Asia that features main stage performances from noon to 11 pm, as well as a kids zone, arts, and culture markets, participatory workshops, and more.
Even today when we have access to global cinema through streaming services and torrents, the re-release of films like 'Gangs Of Wasseypur' & 'Rehna Hai Tere Dil Me' gets us excited. I remember watching Sholay when it was released in 3D in 2014. 10 years later, a film from before our time still manages to awaken an overwhelming response. The love and admiration of cinema that makes us go to the theaters today was the same force that drove the Indian diaspora scattered across Toronto to find each other and build a home together. It showcases how our past is inseparable from us and how we're connected to our peers through the threads of culture and the art of storytelling, across both continents and timelines.
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