In age of multiplexes, this 50-yr-old single-screen continues to thrive

BENGALURU: Cauvery cinema hall on Sankey Road turned 50 this year. The mammoth single-screen hall has been a landmark, not only because of its location but also the popularity it has enjoyed among movie buffs of north Bengaluru.
Cine lovers have been flocking to it for decades to see new Kannada films and Bollywood and Hollywood blockbusters, as its sheer size would guarantee them tickets.That Cauvery was among the very few theatres showing Hindi films in north Bengaluru meant it was the favourite haunt of Bollywood fans from surrounding areas.
An eye-catching floral arch welcomed filmgoers at the cinema hall to mark the golden jubilee on Jan 11. The theatre's completion of 50 glorious years comes at a time when most single-screen halls in the city have vanished and multiplexes are flourishing. "I still remember Jan 11, 1974 when the threatre had a grand opening with the release of the Rajkumar-starrer 'Bangaarada Panjara'. The crowd was euphoric from day 1 and the film had a successful run in our theatre for 25 weeks," recalled a Cauvery theatre staffer.
Opened with a seating capacity of 1,200 in four classes, including the balcony, mini and first, the cheapest ticket at Cauvery cost just 50 paise. "Iconic movies like 'Sankarabharanam' had a long and houseful run here, apart from various Bollywood flicks."
The lower category of seats closer to the screen, locally known as the 'Gandhi class', often was the epicentre of celebrations for fans of big stars. The 'Gandhi class' was phased out over the years, and today the starting price for a ticket is Rs 200.
Days of Hindi movie frenzy
For Hindi movie buffs of northern and central Bengaluru, Cauvery threatre was the go-to spot to catch some Bollywood frenzy. "It was indeed true that for people of this part of town, Cauvery offered a variety of Hindi flicks, mainly of Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan," reminisced 68-year-old Hebbal resident Ravichandran. Khan's blockbuster 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' ran to packed halls here for days on end.
Big films from across languages have been unfailingly releasing in Cauvery. The theatre's seating capacity has reduced to 1,080 following minor renovations a few years ago. The hall was also venue for Dr Rajkumar's last film 'Shabdavedhi' in 2000 which saw a successful run for 75 days.
From Rishab Shetty's cult Kannada film 'Kantara' to Darshan Thoogudeepa's 'Kaatera', Cauvery has been part of Indian cinema's big moments in Bengaluru. The theatre is screening 'Fighter', starring Deepika Padukone and Hrithik Roshan.