Prarthana Theatre: where stars sparkled on screen and in the sky
Residents of Chennai fondly recall the Prarthana Beach Drive-in theatre, which served as a popular entertainment hub from 1991 until its closure. The venue was known for its unique open-air experience, allowing families to watch movies from their cars or on the ground.
Why it matters
The piece captures the cultural history of urban recreation and the nostalgia associated with the evolution of cinema-going experiences in India.
“We watched two sets of stars — one sparkling in the night sky and the other coming alive on the giant screen,” says Vijayalakshmi Muralidharan recalling her frequent visits to Prarthana Theatre , Chennai’s erstwhile drive-in theatre on East Coast Road, in the early 1990s.
For Ms. Muralidharan, daughter of veteran director and producer A.P. Nagarajan, a trip from her then residence in Adyar to the open-air theatre in Injambakkam offered more than a movie outing. It was an experience of watching the stars in the night sky and her favourite stars on the silver screen, each adding to the magic of the evening.
Located on a sprawling 15-acre site at Injambakkam, Prarthana began its journey as a beachside drive-in theatre and restaurant complex.
Chennai’s Prarthana Beach Drive-in shuts down, film fans get nostalgic
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