Saga of theaters in Mysuru

There are over a dozens of theater in Mysuru, which have been operating for more than past six decades. One among, the Sri Krishna Cauvery Patnam talkies started near Gandhi Square in 1900, was shut long back. While, the Olympia Tent started in 1920s, was later converted into a theater and is still operating. 

In the year 1948, the city saw a fully equipped theater that is 'Gayathri Talkies'. In the span of few months, other prominent theaters Prabha, Lakshmi, Rajkamal, Chamundeshwari, Opera, Srinagaraj and other theaters opened. During mid of 1960s and 1970, few more theaters Shanthala, Thibbadevi, Sterling-Skyline (the first twin theater of state) and Sangama were started.  But over the time, the old theaters like Ranjit, Ganesha, Shalimar, Opera are been shut down. 

The theater which were screening English movies until 1960s, were hit hard when the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi banned the import of American movies. The Russina, French movies were translated to English and were screened during 1972 to 1975. Later 1980’s majority of the theaters in Mysuru, started screening only Kannada movies.

Now, the city has grown. Amidst three multiplexes in city, and increase in entertainment channels in television, the business has hit hard to theaters. In spite of this there are over dozens of theater that are able to still to run the shows.

To start with, here is all about Gayathri Theater.

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Gayahtri Talkies located at 100 feet road, is one of the oldest and first full fledged theater in Mysuru when it was opened. The theater was built by Vastukala Sevasaktha T Cheluvachar, his brother T Yellappachar, sons of Mastry Thimmachar. They were the contractors of present Amba Vilas Palace. The theater is now managed by Grandson MT Ramachandra and the great grandson M.R.Rajaram, a fourth generation businessman of the family. 

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Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, the then Maharaja of Mysuru was very much found of watching the English movies. He used to go all the way to Bengaluru to watch the movies at Defence Theater, which was located at Commercial Street in Bengaluru. Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar gave the idea to T Cheluvachar to build a full-fledged theater in Mysuru. The construction, which was started in 1946, completed in 1948, just after the ten months of Independence. 


The theater was opened by Wadiyar on June 18, 1948. Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar gave two projectors for the theater, worth Rs 5000 each and it was used till mids of 1970s. The projection switched by Jayachamaraja Wadiyar has been preserved even today, and has been displayed at glass showcase. 

After the inauguration of the theaters, Royal family members used to visit the theater to watch the movies. A special entrance was made for the women folk of royal members to enter the theaters. There are instances, where exclusive shows have been screened for the royal family members during 1950’s - 1960’s. 

Untill, 1974, the theater had screened only English movies, and screened the first Kannada movie 'Doorada Betta' in 1975, of Kannada matinee idol Dr Rajkumar. Since then, the theater has screened several silver jubilee cinemas.

If one enters the theater, can found a black and white photograph displayed at the entrance, which tells the journey of the theaters. The theater has won several awards by State Government and Karantaka Film Chamber of Commerce.

Movie Sagara Sangama was screened for one year, movie Om for 35weeks, Janumada Jodi, Dooradabetta, and several other Dr Rajkumar, Dr Ambareesh, Dr Vishnuvardhan, Shankarnag, Ananthnag, Prabhakar, Shiva Rajkumar, Shashi Kumar, Sudeep, Puneeth Rajkumar and many other stars movies have completed 25 weeks and many 100 days in the theater. All the first seven James Bond movies have been screened in the theater. 

M.R.Rajaram, a fourth generation businessman of the family.  

“The theater business was flourishing during 1940’s. The only talkies during the time Sri Krishna Cauvery Patnam talkies was not well established. During the time we entered the field, and managed Gayathri talkies. Sri Chamundeshwari and Ganesha theaters were managed by Yellappachar family.  Down the years, Ganesha theater was raised down, and a choultry was built in the place,” adds MR Rajaram, vice-president of Karnataka Film Exhibitors Federation, and secretary of Mysore City Film Exhibitors Association.

Going down the memory lane, he said: "My great grand father T Cheluvachar has constructed the Durbar Hall. Impressed by his workmanship, Wadiyar  conferred 'Vastukala Sevasaktha' title to him and presented a Royal Emblem pendent (emarlded with rubies, diamond).” 71-year-old MT Ramachandra, who visits theater twice every day, talks proudly about the journey of the theater and Maharaja opening the theater. 

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The theater first for many things

* The first movies screened in the theater was Sindbad The Sailor.

* First theater to introduce 3D picture in Mysuru in 1952.

* The first 3d movie screened was House of Wax.

* First to introduce cinemascope with stereophonic sound film in September 1953 and screen the movie 'The Robe'.

* The theater was renovated in 1976.

* Provided Smart Optical Surrounded Stereo in 1995

* First theater with DTS extended sorround Matrix 7.1 channel

* Digital projection was installed in 2007 and DTS digital surrounded in 1999.

* First single screen theater to introduce e-ticketing system 

* First to install Xenolite projection brought from Christie Digital Systems, California, USA.