The bygone movie theatres of Chennai: a compilation
As Chennai celebrates its 387th anniversary, this article reflects on the city's historic cinema halls that have largely disappeared due to urban development. These venues, once cultural hubs, are now being replaced by modern real estate, marking a shift in the city's social landscape.
Why it matters
It documents the loss of cultural heritage and the impact of rapid urbanization on the social fabric of historic cities.
As Chennai city celebrates the 387 th 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.
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