The bygone movie theatres of Chennai: a compilation
This is a collection of stories by The Hindu on the popular single screens and theatre complexes that are etched in the memories of cinephiles of Chennai city even years after they ceased existing.
- ✓This is a collection of stories by The Hindu on the popular single screens and theatre complexes that are etched in the memories of cinephiles of Chennai city even years after they ceased existing.
- ✓Lasting icons of showbiz: A look at Tamil Nadu's most iconic cinema halls
- ✓Civic Domain: Categorized under india public notices.
As Chennai city celebrates the 387th anniversary of its founding this year (as Madras Day), The Hindu looks back at the city’s iconic cinema halls that reveal a rich tapestry of cultural history and changing urban landscapes. Long before the era of modern multiplexes and malls, single screens and theatre complexes served as the vibrant heartbeat of movie buffs in the city.
From the legendary Udhayam Theatre Complex in Ashok Nagar—hailed as the ultimate “collection king” and a premier first-day-first-show destination—to the architectural marvels of Safire Theatre on Mount Road that once defined the city’s cosmopolitan pulse, these spaces shaped generations of memories.
Iconic film shooting spots in Chennai: a package
Lasting icons of showbiz: A look at Tamil Nadu's most iconic cinema halls
Though many of these historic landmarks including the Pilot Theatre at Royapettah and National Theatre at Virugambakkam have since given way to commercial/residential real estate and high-rises, revisiting their legacy offers a nostalgic and poignant glimpse into the golden age of moviegoing in Madras, reminding residents of the enduring cultural roots underlying Chennai’s rapid metropolitan transformation.
Their stories also mirror the city’s own transformation: neighbourhoods grew, audiences changed, technology altered the business of exhibition, and old cinema spaces gradually disappeared or were repurposed.
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| Issuing Authority | The Hindu National |
|---|---|
| Topic Category | INDIA |
| Jurisdiction | All India / National |
| Publication Date | 27 August 2026 |