Theatres were the major hangouts for many some years ago; the burgeoning multiplexes are slowly ex-terminating the Old theatres which once were the paradise for Cinema Fans.

One such theatre which was very popular and shut down to transform into a residential apartment is Sayani in Ayanavaram.  The theatre was built in 1950, says Mr. Azizullah son of C.M. Nassurullah, who was the manager of Sayani theatre those days.  ‘” The theatre was owned by Popat Jamal & Sons family and was shut down for some reason.  This was a hot spot for Sivaji Fans, as all Sivaji Ganesan’s films used to run here for 100 days”.  Movies were changed only thrice a year and all were Sivaji’s films.  Ootty Varai Uravu was the last film showed here.  His father had also ensured that no ladies will return without tickets, Ladies were given first  preference.  

Mr. Arulanandam, partner of Bhuvaneswari theatre, Purasaiwalkam shares that “It is unfortunate that we had to close this theatre due to partners’ dispute. Moreover we were not making profits, as people are glued to TV and DVDs.  Mega hit pictures like Thanga Pathakkam, Vietnam Veedu, theiva magan, saraswathi sapatham etc., were screened here”. He recapped that Thiruvilaiyadal had run for 25 weeks and Shanthi, Crown, Bhuvaneswari were like Triplets in those days. Bhuvaneswari theatre was built in 1963 and was shut down in 1994.

Nagesh theatre which was on the prime location of Chennai is now a Kalyana Mandapam.  Mr. Raj, working as a security in Apex chambers and a resident of this area vividly recollects his experience of watching movies in the theatre. He says “It was a 20 years old theatre and before 5 years they sold it out, nowadays the T.Nagar people do not have a theatre for this area”.   The last film screened in the theatre was Cheran’s Porkalam.

Theatres such as Alankar, Anand, and Wellington on the heart of the city also have given way to malls and office complexes. Late last year, Kamadhenu theatre in Mylapore area screened JK Riteesh starrer 'Nayagan for the final time and the curtains came down.  The 50-year-old theatre is now a marriage hall.

While Theatres taken over by corporate biggies could transform themselves to Multiplexes with luxurious seating and interiors, old theatres which were once a paradise for Movie buffs are reluctantly shut down because the majority of the Middle income group is comfortable watching new movies in a DVD.