It definitely is the end of an era. With the rise of multiplexes and the increase in the range of services available here, the single-screen movie theatres have had to call it a day. These theatres defined how movies were watched in the 1900s and have helped Bengalureans make tons of memories since their opening. Here bring to you a few old theatres of Bengaluru which we’ll surely miss visiting.
Rex Theatre
Down in Brigade Road, Rex theatre was a landmark for many moviegoers which included students, couples, families, and many others. Started in the 1930s, Rex theater ran successfully, striking partnerships with 20th Century Fox and Columbia. They even had movies running for as long as 29 weeks!
Kapali Theatre
Having run for 49 years, this movie theatre near majestic screened the most number of movies featuring Dr. Rajkumar and Ravichandran. During those days, it used to be a matter of pride to get Kapali Theatre to screen your movies! With a seating capacity of 1112, this used to be one of the biggest movie theaters in Asia.
Nataraj Theatre
With a capacity of 1100 seats, Nataraj Theatre was the second largest theatre in Bengaluru after Kapali. Having screened Kannada and Tamil movies for over 40 years, Vikram Vedha starring R. Madhavan turned out to be the last movie to be screened at this theatre which was a go-to for movie lovers all over Bengaluru.
Sagar Theatre
Sagar Theatre was one of the theatres on Kempe Gowda Road, which was known as the Broadway of Kannada films. This theatre was Gandhinagar’s most reputed and said adieu after having screened its last movie, Mynaa for 100 days. This marked the end of the theatre to make way for an upcoming mall.
Liberty
Formerly known as Crystal, Liberty was owned by Akhter Begum. This movie theatre would strictly screen only English movies. It enjoyed the patronage of the middle and upper classes. Many Hollywood classics were screened there, including Magnificent Obsession, Three Coins in a Fountain, Cape Fear (Hitchcock original), Charade and Spartacus. Started in the 1900s, this theater said it’s final goodbye in the 1970s.
Opera
What we see on the intersection of Brigade Road and Residency Road as the Samsung Opera House used to be a cinema hall in 1959. Having leased it out for 20 years, the legal battle for the owners began and did not end before 2003. Such is the trouble that came along with the ownership of a prime property. What was once used by the British for exclusive events, and then as a cinema hall after independence did not last long enough; as legal issues crippled the once mighty Opera House.
BRV
What has now become the “Golden Palm Canteen” near the Chinnaswamy Stadium used to be one of the best cinema halls during its time. The first film to be screened here was Ujala in 1959 starring Shammi Kapoor. Opened for public viewing, the city theatre was soon converted into an English movie joint and in 1960, The Captain’s Table, a British comedy film, was the first English movie to be screened here.
This was followed up by a David Niven starrer ‘Happy Anniversary’, Marilyn Monroe’s ‘The Apartment’ and ‘Some Like It Hot’. Also, ‘The Good, The Bad And The Ugly’, the Beatles movies – ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ and ‘Help’, the Pink Panther series and ‘The Great Escape’ were some of the most memorable movies that ran for many months here.
Blu Diamond
A must visit in the ’70s and ’80s, this cozy little theatre was the closest thing the city has had to an art house theatre. Small, intense movies that other theatres didn’t have space for (since the blockbusters took it all up) would be shown here. This theatre was sadly shut down in 1994 to make way for a shopping arcade.
Galaxy
One of the first cinema halls converted to a multiplex, the charm of the old days is no more. The theatre was built in 1971 and has screened such hits as Hello Dolly and Enter the Dragon. Back in its prime, the theatre defined class and was looked forward to by moviegoers all over the city. This was, however, short-lived as the maintenance became poor and the audiences preferred to watch television instead. The theatre eventually lost its charm and became a relic, making way for the renovation.
Plaza Theatre
The foundations of the present Bengaluru metro on MG Road used to be the same for Plaza Theatre from 1936 until 2005. Modeled after the Piccadilly Circus in London, this theatre held associations with MGM Studios and Paramount Pictures. ‘The Ten Commandments’ was the longest running movie here – it ran successfully for 44 weeks! The movie theatre had to be shut down after the present generation owners did not wish to carry on this venture.
All great things must come to an end, and so did these theatres. What remains now are the memories and the legacy they left behind. In an era where theatres are either being converted to multiplexes or are facing closure, there are still places like Sampige theatre which hold on to the charm of the yesteryears.
So, this was about the Old theatres of Bengaluru. If we’ve missed any then do let contribute in the comments below.
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