The Elphinstone cinema in its new avatar, (above) a still from Raanjhanaa that opens on Friday in Patna’s oldest cinema. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

A theatre never ages, after all there’s a first-day first-show every Friday. But you could actually watch a first show of Dhanush romancing Sonam Kapoor in Raanjhanaa at Patna’s oldest hall, Elphinstone, on Friday.

For, after missing many a deadline, it is finally curtains up for Elphinstone cinema.

Established in 1919, Elphinstone had been shut down since December 2010 for an overhaul to take on the challenge from multiplexes.

After the makeover, cinegoers won’t need to queue up for tickets at Elphinstone. Online ticket booking for Raanjhanaa commenced on Thursday at bookmyshow.com.

Elphinstone has been developed into a four-storeyed building. The first and the second floors will have a food court with a seating capacity of 200 people. “Though we are in talks with a leading food company to run the court, it has not been finalised. It would take a couple of weeks to commission it,” said Sharad Kumar, the manager (accounts) of Elphinstone Picture Palace.

The third and fourth floors would occupy the single-screen that can seat 220. Though the new cinema hall has a 2D screen, latest technologies have been put in place to ensure the best movie-watching experience for viewers. Ticket rates for the morning show at 9.45am have been fixed at Rs 100 and for the rest at Rs 180.

Those who have made up their mind to watch Raanjhanaa are glad that the city offers cine buffs more options.

“I studied at BN College in 1982. My friends and I used to bunk college to watch movies at Elphinstone. A fan of Amitabh Bachchan, I distinctly remember watching many of his greatest hits, including Namak Halal, Khud-Daar and Coolie. I am glad that I would be able to relive my association with Elphinstone,” said Narendra Kumar, the director of Hotel Windsor.

Raanjhanaa is the story of Kundan (Tamil actor Dhanush), his journey from a 13-year-old boy in love who goes on to become a committed, spirited young man, whose experiences in life make him the person he is.