Cauvery Theatre: The last of plush single screens in central Bengaluru shuts down

In many ways, the Cauvery Theatre was one of the other single screens in the 2000s that ensured my affinity to cinema.

It unknowingly paved my way to becoming a film reporter years later and subsequently entering the film industry, too.

Thus, when the news of the Cauvery Theatre shutting down made headlines, a major part of my growing up is now being erased, with many of the other single-screen cinema halls already long gone.

The Cauvery Theatre along with a host of now non-existent cinema halls in the Central Business District area, and the Urvashi Theatre, have been the major cinema halls that have had Kannada as well as Bollywood and Hollywood films in well-maintained premises.

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Memories associated with the cinema hall

Premiere of ‘Aachar & Co’ at the Cauvery Theatre. (Supplied)

“I remember living in South Bengaluru in my childhood. But I used to travel all the way there for big films. I recall my first-ever theatre experience there (the Cauvery Theatre). Over the years, I remember skipping classes from Jain College to go catch films there,” says actor-producer Rakshitha.

These memories of having fond film-watching experiences at the Cauvery Theatre, especially in their mini balcony have been quintessential to many from the film industry.

I recall one incident where actor-former MP Ramya and I had gone to catch a Tamil release of Suriya at the Cauvery Theatre. The staff were sweet enough to help us park the car and ensure we got to our seats on time for the show.

For many who grew up in Bengaluru, the Cauvery Theatre will always remain special, for it remained a prime cinema hall through the years, despite the advent of the multiplexes.

One of the last big events to be held at the cinema hall was the premiere of Aachar & Co (2023), which was produced by PRK Productions and put together by KRG Studios.

Karthik Gowda from KRG Studios says, “As someone who lived in Sadashivnagar, the Cauvery Theatre has been a special haunt for me. I have watched innumerable films there, including big Kannada releases and the big productions of Hindi films.”

His most special memory associated with the cinema hall will always remain watching Power Star Puneeth Rajkumar‘s debut film Appu (2022), four times as a fan.

“I’ve then gone on to be closely associated with him over the years. As a distribution house, we have also had around 45 of our films released at the Cauvery Theatre. It has been a significant landmark in the cityscape of Bengaluru’s film-viewing community,” Gowda adds.

“Today, the property owner is going in for a different venture. But the memories will remain for all of us and we will hold them close to our hearts,” he quips.

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Connection with Puneeth Rajkumar’s family

Late Dr Puneeth Rajkumar had a special connection with the Cauvery Theatre. (X)

Memories of Dr Rajkumar’s family and the Cauvery Theatre also remain a significant highlight for native Bengalureans, given that the cinema hall was nearly a walking distance from the matinee idol’s residence.

In fact, in one of his interactions, Shivarajkumar revealed that he got to meet Ashwini for the first time with Puneeth Rajkumar during one of his film screenings at that very cinema hall.

After that meeting, he took the matter to his parents, and eventually, Puneeth and Ashwini tied the knot.

Puneeth’s connection with the cinema hall also continued with his debut release.

Rakshitha, his leading lady in Appu, recalls, “While Cauvery theatre was a major part of my childhood and teens, it was during the shooting of my first film that things came to a full circle when we shot for a scene in Appu at the cinema hall. It was a special feeling for me. I even remember watching one of the shows with fans in the same hall.”

Today, as cinephiles bid adieu to the Cauvery theatre, many seek solace also in the fact that the cinema hall will forever remain in the local parlance for a generation or two, given the traffic junction there has been synonymous with it.

Much like we have Nanda Road, Shanti Theatre signal, Naga Theatre Road, Sagar Theatre signal, or Lido junction being used by old Bengalureans because of their familiarity and associations with the now defunct cinema halls, the Cauvery signal will become a welcome addition to the vocabulary of Bengaluru traffic reference now, despite the hall ceasing to exist.

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