{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Veteran film producer and exhibitor Shankar Lall Goenka passes away in Guwahati at 90",
  "summary": "Shankar Lall Goenka, a prominent film producer, distributor, and cultural patron in Northeast India, has passed away at his residence in Guwahati at the age of 90.",
  "content": "Shankar Lall Goenka, a towering figure known widely as a film producer, distributor, exhibitor, and a dedicated patron of cinema and cultural activities across Northeast India, has passed away at his home in Guwahati. He was 90 years old at the time of his passing. He is survived by a son and two daughters who continue to uphold his legacy.\n\nA Deep Family Legacy in Cinema\n\nGoenka played a monumental role in championing cinema throughout the Northeast, carrying forward a multi-generational family involvement in the film exhibition sector. His father, Jeevanram Goenka, originally established the iconic Kelvin Cinema halls, opening locations in Shillong back in 1926 and later in Guwahati in 1935. Building upon this foundation, the family expanded their enterprise into film distribution by 1961.\n\nReviving the Historic Kelvin Cinema\n\nAmong his most cherished aspirations was the revival of the legendary Kelvin Cinema located in Guwahati. The venue had temporarily closed its doors in 2010 to allow for the complete redevelopment of the building housing the historic theatre. He had initially conceived plans to renovate the cinema as early as 1982, hoping to turn it into one of the city's premier landmark movie houses.\n\nOvercoming Delays to Realize a Dream\n\nThe redevelopment journey faced numerous setbacks and repeated delays over the years. Although construction work finally got underway in 2010, the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic introduced further slowdowns. The historic venue ultimately reopened under the name Kelvin Gold on December 3, 2025. This grand reopening coincided perfectly with Goenka's 90th birthday, successfully fulfilling his lifelong dream of bringing the treasured theatre back to life.\n\nPromoting Regional Filmmaking and Festivals\n\nFollowing closely in his father's footsteps, Goenka strongly backed regional filmmaking and financed several notable films alongside acclaimed directors such as Jahnu Barua, Pradip Kurbah, and Manju Borah. His influence stretched across the entire pipeline of the regional industry, encompassing distribution, exhibition, and the nurturing of independent art in the Northeast.\n\nHe also served as a vital pillar of support for the Kelvin Film Festival, which has successfully hosted two editions under the guidance of filmmakers Pradip Kurbah, Dominic Sangma, and their dedicated team. The festival acts as a crucial platform for regional and independent creators, fostering a deeper community appreciation for the cinematic arts.\n\nCharitable Contributions and Cultural Heritage\n\nThrough the Jeevanram Mungi Devi Charitable Trust, founded in loving memory of his parents, Goenka regularly recognized and honored individuals who made exceptional contributions to cinema, literature, and various other cultural spheres. His relentless drive to preserve his family's cinematic heritage, most visibly demonstrated through the restoration of Kelvin Cinema, showcased his unwavering dedication to the region's cultural identity. His passing leaves an irreplaceable void among patrons of Northeast India's film industry and cultural landscape.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. When and where did Shankar Lall Goenka pass away?\nShankar Lall Goenka passed away on November 6 at his residence in Guwahati.\n\n2. How old was Shankar Lall Goenka at the time of his passing?\nShankar Lall Goenka was 90 years old when he passed away.\n\n3. Who established the historic Kelvin Cinema halls and when?\nHis father, Jeevanram Goenka, established Kelvin Cinema halls in Shillong in 1926 and in Guwahati in 1935.\n\n4. When did the revived cinema reopen and under what name?\nThe historic cinema reopened as Kelvin Gold on December 3, 2025.\n\n5. Which acclaimed filmmakers collaborated with Goenka?\nHe collaborated with renowned filmmakers such as Jahnu Barua, Pradip Kurbah, and Manju Borah.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/assam/veteran-film-producer-and-exhibitor-shankar-lall-goenka-passes-away-in-guwahati-at-90-57407",
  "category": "Assam",
  "publishedAt": "2026-11-07",
  "tags": [
    "Shankar Lall Goenka",
    "Guwahati",
    "Northeast Cinema",
    "Kelvin Cinema",
    "Film Producer"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia",
  "questionsAndAnswers": [
    {
      "question": "When and where did Shankar Lall Goenka pass away?",
      "answer": "Shankar Lall Goenka passed away on November 6 at his residence in Guwahati."
    },
    {
      "question": "How old was Shankar Lall Goenka at the time of his passing?",
      "answer": "Shankar Lall Goenka was 90 years old when he passed away."
    },
    {
      "question": "Who established the historic Kelvin Cinema halls and when?",
      "answer": "His father, Jeevanram Goenka, established Kelvin Cinema halls in Shillong in 1926 and in Guwahati in 1935."
    },
    {
      "question": "When did the revived cinema reopen and under what name?",
      "answer": "The historic cinema reopened as Kelvin Gold on December 3, 2025."
    },
    {
      "question": "Which acclaimed filmmakers collaborated with Goenka?",
      "answer": "He collaborated with renowned filmmakers such as Jahnu Barua, Pradip Kurbah, and Manju Borah."
    }
  ]
}