Udhayam Theater, once an iconic multiplex in Chennai, is now slated for demolition to make room for a multi-storied residential complex. The prime 1.31-acre property, located in Ashok Nagar, has been purchased by a real estate corporation, with reports indicating that the purchase agreement was finalised just ten days ago. Alongside Udhayam Theater, the property also hosts Mini Udhayam, Suriyan and Chandran theatres.
The multiplex was divided into Udhayam Theater and Mini Udhayam Theatre due to a property feud and over the years, it underwent technological upgrades, including the installation of air conditioners and DTS speakers. The land on which these theatres stand was acquired from the Tamil Nadu Housing Board in 1993 under a conditional sale deed, indicating a significant shift towards luxury apartment construction in the area.
S Balasubramanian, the son of the theatre complex’s founder, Sundaram Pillai, provided insights into the property’s history to The Times of India. Balasubramanian revealed that initially, the land was allotted in his father’s name, but later, on request, the sale deed was registered under the Aruna Theatres Company, with his five brothers included as directors. The first movie screened at the theatre was Sivappu Sooriyan, starring Rajinikanth.
However, Udhayam Theater’s fate is not an isolated incident in Chennai’s cinema landscape. Several other theatres, such as the Albert Theatre in Egmore, have faced challenges amid the rise of OTT platforms and other factors. In March 2022, the Greater Chennai Corporation sealed Albert Theatre briefly due to non-compliance with property and entertainment taxes, with outstanding dues amounting to approximately Rs 51 lakh in property taxes and Rs 14 lakh in pending entertainment tax. However, the theatre managed to pay off its arrears shortly after being sealed, leading to its subsequent reopening.
The case of Udhayam Theater and Albert Theatre underscores the evolving dynamics in Chennai’s entertainment industry, reflecting the challenges faced by traditional cinemas in adapting to changing consumer preferences and economic realities.
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