Curtains come down at the iconic
Lakshmi Talkies in Mysore on Friday, seven decades after it opened on 15th
April 1949. For all those associated with this iconic
landmark, the closure of the theatre is an emotional moment and painful
development.
Known as the common man’s theatre, ‘Lakshmi’ has served the middle
class population of the city with pocket-friendly ticket pricing, pleasant ambience,
affordable snack and beverage and minimal vehicle parking charges for more than
five decades now. It is the legacy of elders
that the present generation has carried
forward.Being family-owned, the establishment has moved along with a sense of
prestige and that typical ‘Film business’ addiction.
Lakshmi Talkies holds a special
place in the hearts of Mysoreans. Situated in the heart of the city, the area
Bus stop on chamaraja double Road even got its name 'Lakshmi Talkies stop ’' due
to the location of the popular theatre.
Several film world luminaries including Dr Rajkumar, Dr
Vishnuvardhan, Ambarish, Shankar Nag,
Darshan,Dwarkish,Kalpana,Manjula,Jayanthi,Aarathi,Famous directors Puttanna Kangal,K
Backhander and other eminent persons
like Late Devraj Urs, former CMs of Tamil Nadu Karunanidhi, MGR,and Jayalitha
and many others have visited the theatre.
The theatre has a history of more than 70
years. A much preferred theatre for Fans of regional cinema, it remained a
favorite of some of the most prestigious Production Houses over the years.
Sadly the closure of Lakshmi
Talkies comes in the wake of a spate of other Closures in the Heritage city of
Mysore
Hopes that people would
flock the theatres after a year long break forced by the Corona Virus, were
dashed .It did not turn out that way.The occupancy was miserably low.
The most conservative cinema houses across Karnataka spend a minimum of ₹3 lakh per month on staff salaries, fixed electricity and maintenance charges that the government doesn’t feel fit to be waived or subsidized even amid zero earnings.
The hall was even
refurbished and restructured to keep it going. But it did not work .
Savings have been liquidated to continue paying salaries, expenses cut down to
make ends meet, even personal assets mortgaged to raise funds. But uncertainty
threatened the establishment’s future. The signs were ominous.The
single screen sector would soon go “on
ventilator" and to keep going on would be a huge risk.
Almost every month over the
past couple of years one or the other single screen theatre has pulled down its
shutters
So , closing down was the best available option.especially for the
sake of employees whose dues need to be
cleared .Once relieved they will be in a position to look for better jobs.
It hurts to see this first
generation single screen cinema consigned to oblivion.
.A theatre is not just brick, steel, wood, mortar or Box Office,
Vinyl Banners, silver screen, and chips counters. It harbors within itself, a small unique world of its own – the
hawkers, the men at the ticket counters, the projectionists, the ushers, the
torn seats,endless queue of boisterous
ticket seekers, and the very poor people- men, women and children who mill around outside the theatre premises for alms.
Though single screen theatres cannot match the glamour of
multiplexes. much of the audience that now
watch films on OTT platforms, either free of cost or by subscription
will ultimately stop going to the theatres, so it doesn’t matter that they
cannot watch films on the large screen.
The unique experience of movie-watching on big screen will be lost to the
future generations.
Covid has served a harsh
reminder that everything.around us is fickle and that leaves a quirky feeling.
But memories will remain -- for sharing and discussing about the Heritage & traditions that are being squandered
away everyday.
