A hark back to ‘collection king’ Udhayam Theatre in Chennai
In the heart of Ashok Nagar, Chennai, Udhayam Theatre held a special place in the hearts of film enthusiasts for decades. Opened in 1983, the theatre was a beloved spot in the city, where audiences flocked to watch a variety of films from heart-wrenching dramas to action-packed blockbusters. Owned by six brothers from Tirunelveli, Udhayam began with three screens - Udhayam, Mini Udhayam, and Sooriyan.
It even had its own bus stop and car park, making it easily accessible to both high-end and mass crowds. The theatre was strategically placed in the city, earning it the nickname 'collection king' due to its success in showcasing movies by big stars such as Rajinikanth. Even Balu Mahendra, a renowned director, had fond memories of watching films at Udhayam, interacting with the employees, many of whom were from his hometown.
However, as multiplexes gained popularity and competition increased, Udhayam's appeal dwindled. After being on the market since 2009, the theatre was finally sold to Casagrand for ₹80 crore in 2024, marking the end of an era in Chennai’s film history.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
