With a substantial population all set to celebrate the release of Rajnikant-starrer Kabali on Friday, a handful of film buffs like V. Jagannathan and his friend will be sombre as they will not be able to see Kabali in the erstwhile Kabali theatre.
Once a key landmark in the city, the old Kabali theatre gave way to a high-rise due to poor patronage.
Tracing the Kabali theatre connection with film goers of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s — a time when a visit to the theatre or beach was the only form of entertainment — all one did in the Mylapore area was to visit nearby theatres such as Kabali in Mandaveli or Kamadhenu in Mylapore.
Theatre artist Crazy creation’s Madhu Balaji and actor-turned-politican S.Ve. Shekher fondly recalled their association with Kabali theatre.
Many of the old timers recalled that Kabali and Kamadhenu were single screen theatres, with no air-conditioning or stereo systems. But, they were famous for re-runs of popular movies. Kabali screened popular movies of MGR, Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Jaishankar, Ravichandran, Muthuraman, Kamal Hassan, Rajinikant, Karthik, Satyaraj and Mohan to name a few.
“Most of us used to frequent Kabali theatre to see devotional movies or popular one, but once we went to college our focus shifted to theatres in Anna Salai and those in the suburbs,” said Kalyan Mahadevan, who resides in Singapore.
Shekher said: “As far as I know, the theatre was in existence since 1958. My house was just behind the theatre and often used Foreshore Estate and Kabali theatre as landmarks to get home. We have seen many popular starrers of MGR, Sivaji, Gemini Ganesan and others.” Balaji said the first three rows of theatre had benches and other rows, wooden chairs. Minimum and maximum rates were Re.1 and Rs.2.90 for tickets. “Once, I faked a stomach ache as my mother was planning to see Mannadi Mannan movie. After ensuring that I was put to bed, my mother went to the movie. I got up around 1.15 p.m, and rushed to the theatre and protested at the gate that I be let inside and I succeed,” recalls Balaji.
After finishing their daily chores, housewives thronged the theatre to see noon or matinee shows as different movies were played at 11.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. Kamal’s Vazhvae Mayam ran for 200 days in Gaiety theatre. Kabali released it on the 28{+t}{+h}week (198{+t}{+h}day) and had posters throughout the city claiming 200 days of successful running. Next year, when the booking for Rajinikanth double-action movie Johnny was announced, movie-goers and Rajini fans stood in front of Devi Paradise booking counter almost 24 hours in advance.
