The glorious past of Chennai’s Shanti Theatre

Chennai's Shanti Theatre, once a bustling hub of moviegoers, has been replaced by a modern office complex. The theatre, built in 1961 by G. Umapathy and D. Shanmuga Raja, was inaugurated by Chief Minister K. Kamaraj and featured the first show, Srinivasa Kalyanam, alongside its inaugural film Thooya Ullam. The theatre was originally named after Kamaraj's bus stop, Shanti, and boasted a seating capacity of 1,200.

C. Subramaniam, the Finance Minister at the time, emphasized the importance of producing films that entertained and educated the public without corrupting their minds. Sivaji Ganesan eventually purchased the theatre, investing in its renovation and expansion. The Shanti screen showcased over 80 films by Sivaji Ganesan, including Gone with the Wind, Ivanhoe, and Drums of Destiny, with one film, Chandramukhi, breaking a 888-day run record.

The theatre's legacy lives on through the memories of those who frequented it, including Ramkumar Ganesan, who fondly recalled attending the premiere of Karnan alongside Sivaji Ganesan. Today, the once-vibrant Shanti Theatre has been transformed into a prime office space housing multinational firms.