Chandigarh, a well-planned city that the famous architect Le Corbusier designed, contains some of the oldest cinemas and garden like rose garden, but many no longer operate. These Chandigarh cinemas, constructed in the 19th century, closed because owners didn’t update or enhance them, causing their popularity to fade. People now favour the new multiplex theatres that have appeared in Chandigarh. Most of these old theatres in Chandigarh featured only one screen, which failed to deliver the great movie experience floks expect today. In this piece, we examine these historic cinemas and share their stories.
Table of Contents
Oldest Theatres in Chandigarh
Kiran theatre in Chandigarh
Kiran Cinema sits in Sector 22, a historic part of Chandigarh cinema hall. The famous architect Le Corbusier designed this single-screen theater, and it became popular in the early 1900s. However, today, people’s tastes have shifted, and the old building has worn out. As a result, the owner wants to transform it into a modern multiplex theater.
Initially, the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee rejected this idea. They argued that heritage buildings like this one cannot be torn down. Instead, they insisted these structures must be reused creatively. Recently, though, the CHCC softened its stance and allowed the owner to add two commercial floors. Still, there’s a condition: the outer look of the building must remain unchanged.
Because it had just one screen, fewer people visited over time. Consequently, this drop in attendance forced the owner to close the theatre for good.
Neelam theatres in Chandigarh
Neelam Cinema joins two other theaters in Chandigarh, a modern city Le Corbusier planned. Builders completed it in the early 1950s, soon after India won freedom. This cinema in Chandigarh Sector 17, a busy spot. Aditya Prakash designed the cinema, with Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret guiding him. The simple, modern building remains unchanged and screens Bollywood movies. Like other old cinemas, Neelam Cinema tells a great story. Sadly, it sits closed now.
Batra theatre in Chandigarh
Batra Theatre, located in Sector 37, was once a bustling hotspot, and luxury cinema hall especially on Fridays when people together enjoy movies at this prime venue. During that time, it frequently made headlines, drawing attention for its vibrant atmosphere. However, for several years, its owner, Chandigarh based businessman Naresh Batra, has been in a dispute with the UT administration regarding the theatre’s future. Over time, the theatre closed, partly due to unresolved issues and its lack of a renewed permit, despite its legacy of showcasing heritage single screen films.
KC theatre in Chandigarh
Theatre, one of the oldest cinema , enjoyed great success in that time but faced challenges common to many historic venues. Built in the 1950s, it struggled to compete with modern multiplexes due to its limited seating and lack of updated facilities, causing a decreasing in audience interest. As a result, the owners saw diminishing revenue, ultimately leading to its closure. One big thing was found in all of them, they were not rebuild again.
Nirman theatre
Nirman theater is also one of the oldest and most famous in the 1980s owned by the Gulati family as well as he has some shops in sector 17. However, the theatre was owned by many owners, but Verma was the last owner of this theater, designed by Le Corbusier. Verma often applied for administration within a renovation plan but not get any better outcomes from administration. As a result, a single screen, fewer seats capacity in the theatre not fit in the new modern era. Theater shut down in 2012.
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