Sudershan 70 mm theatre, a popular entertainment house and a landmark at RTC Crossroads in the city, is now history.
The theatre management has shut operations since May 23 and is planning to replace it with a five-floor commercial complex.
However, Devi and Sudershan 35 mm theatres will continue to screen movies.
Demolition of the cinema hall constructed in an area of about 6,000 square yards has already begun.
Debris all around
Though the Allu Arjun starrer, Varudu , posters welcome patrons into the theatre complex, they can only find “No entry” board and debris strewn all around.
“The theatre is operated by six managing partners. We were incurring loss since last four years and it was decided to replace the theatre with a commercial complex for generating revenues,” says one of the managing partners.
Fading concept
The concept of single screen theatres is slowly fading away as film lovers, particularly families seemed to prefer multiplexes given the variety of entertainment sources, he explains as one of the reasons for demolishing the theatre.
“We have applied for permission to construct a commercial complex and the works will start in a couple of months. We have not finalised anything, the complex could house restaurants, shopping mall, commercial establishments etc,” said the managing partner.
The theatre was founded and inaugurated by T. Narsimhulu on August 15, 1970.
Navin Nischal and Rekha starrer, Saawan Bhadon , a Bollywood movie, was the first picture to be screened in the theatre and it ran for over 100 days.
Renovation work
Equipped with Xenon Lab Projection system, it was the first 70 MM theatre in RTC crossroads and was first to be constructed in the complex, which also houses Devi and Sudershan 35 mm theatres.
The theatre was renovated in 2002, reducing the seating capacity to 1,065 seats from 1,375 seats.
Hits
Muthyala Muggu , Pandanti Kapuram , Gang Leader , Bobbili Raja , Samarasimha Reddy are some of the many that were silver jubilee hits.
