Once a cinema landmark, now reduced to nothing
The Safire Theatre Complex in Chennai, once a landmark multiplex that introduced 70mm cinema to the city, has fallen into disuse and decay. The complex, which housed three distinct screens, was a cultural hub for decades before closing due to the rise of cable television.
Why it matters
It serves as a historical reflection on the evolution of urban entertainment and the decline of traditional cinema landmarks in India.
It is 1964 and walking down Mount Road, the massive Safire Theatre Complex could not be missed. With its widescreen opening show of Cleopatra showcasing in Madras, the Veecumsee’s Safire, as it was known, brought 70 mm filmscreening to the city.
The Safire Theatre Complex, was one of the first multiplex cinema complexes in India. Owned by a diamond merchant family, the multiplex featured Safire, Blue Diamond and Emerald theatres. In the basement was a disco and restaurant Nine Gems and later named Navaratna.
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