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It's closing time for theatres

Rajesh Nair

PONDICHERRY: Call it a spin-off effect of theatres not getting patronage or a boom in housing and tourism related activities. Old theatres in Pondicherry that are still landmarks are being demolished and in their place hotels and flats are coming up.

In the last few months' three theatres situated at S.V. Patel Salai, TV Nagar and Karuvadikuppam, have been pulled down.

In a few months time on S.V. Patel Salai there will be a big hotel and at TV Nagar, a five-storied block is to come up. In all probability there will be a high rise building coming up at Karuvadikuppam.

The trend does not end there. Another theatre owner near Anna Salai is planning to bring down one of his theatres and construct a three-star hotel.

One of the theatre owners said "Nowadays it is not profitable to run a theatre as not many families coming to watch movies".

The reasons he said were many. "It could be due to pirated VCDs or because people are hooked to television serials", he added.

In the past, Pondicherrians were not the only ones, who patronised theatres but people from Chennai and neighbouring areas came here for a movie and a couple of quick ones. But now even this crowd is dwindling.

A few years ago, two old theatres were brought down and hotels came up in their place. Another one gave way for setting up shops and a restaurant.

One hotelier said "there was a bit of apprehension when I went for this change. But later it proved to be a good investment".

S Sridarane, the Chief Town Planner, said his department had given the go ahead for the construction of the hotel at S.V. Patel Salai and for the flat at TV Nagar.

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