Know About Iconic Apsara Theatre in Kozhikode

On 29 May, social media was buzzing with the news that the iconic Apsara Theatre in Kerala’s Kozhikode was shutting down. When inquiries were conducted, the scenario became evident.

The staff were indeed handed a sudden notification regarding the curtains coming down at the cinema. The family-operated movie hall was closed due to disputes among the members.

Ironically, the essence of Thrishanku — featuring Arjun Ashokan and Anna Ben — the last movie to be shown in Apsara Theatre is “a critical situation”.

The cinema ran full until lately and posted decent earnings for 2018 and Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum.

First of its genre

Kozhikode once boasted several single-screen cinemas which were gradually closed with the rise of multiplexes.

Davison, Pushpa, Blue Diamond, and Sangam were shut permanently. Meanwhile, Radha, Coronation, and Crown experienced significant revamps.

Nonetheless, with a vast hall that could house over 1,000 patrons at once, Apsara Theatre endured the rivalry for an extended time.

In truth, it has existed for 51 years near the Kozhikode train station. But now, it’s a relic of history!

Apsara Theatre was inaugurated on 8 August 1971 by former Malayalam actor Prem Nazir and actress Urvashi Sharadha. The premier movie shown was Aabhijathyan (on 12 August). Directed by A Vincent, the movie featured Madhu and Sharadha in lead roles.

The cinema introduced the contemporary era of film-watching. Indeed, it was the first AC movie hall in Kozhikode.

With second-class seat prices at ₹1 and ₹2, it was bliss for the common man to enjoy films in an AC hall. However, to acquire tickets from the cave-like box offices wasn’t an easy task.

It’s still uncertain who launched the cave-like box offices in the cinemas of Kerala. Some ticket counters were even half a kilometer long. When a movie is released, these counters will be packed and it becomes hard to breathe in those caves.

‘Not a prime spot’

According to GP Ramachandran, a noted film critic based in Kerala, securing a ticket in the second class was a laborious affair as people had to stand for hours in long queues.

Ramachandran finished his college education in Kozhikode. He reminisced that the location was neither a prime area nor a bustling spot in 1971.

"Unlike today, it was surprising that a theatre was built in an area where there were no proper roads." Even the present railway link road didn't exist when the cinema hall was established. The development came much later after the theatre was already in place," he clarified.

A large hall and premier seating

The Apsara Theatre had an enormous hall with a giant 70MM screen, and its first-class area boasted stadium-like seating.

Sangam Theatre was also launched around the same period, but its seating was of ordinary type as seen in any auditorium.

The ticket rates at Apsara varied for 70MM and 35 MM projections. It was as follows:

Balcony (Ramp Circle): ₹3.50/- (70MM Charges), ₹3.00/- (35MM Charges)
Upper Circle: ₹2.50/- (70MM Charges), ₹2.25/-(35MM Charges)
Middle Circle: ₹1.75/-(70MM Charges), ₹1.50/-(35MM Charges)
Lower Circle: ₹0.80/-(70MM Charges), ₹0.70/-(35MM Charges)
The theatre boasted 1,296 seats with a 62X30 curved screen. It also featured a 6-channel stereophonic sound system and projection by an RCA Photophone projector.

When it was inaugurated, the theatre had five main speakers and 48 speakers.

Art movies showcased

The Apsara Theatre is famous for screening art films. The noon shows (12:30 pm) were reserved by art filmmakers. "The time slot was particularly reserved for art films." "However, film society screenings were held at Pushpa Theatre and Sangam," Ramachandran stated.

Davison Cinema was situated in the Chintha Valappu area near the Old Bus Stand and Palayam Market.
Radha Theatre was situated at SM Street, a well-known hub in Kozhikode.

"These cinemas were frequented by regular audiences and they never showcased art films." However, films by Bharathan and other notable directors were screened in these popular theatres,” Ramachandran recollected.

Favored by youngsters

The Apsara Theatre was popular among the youth in Kozhikode because it consistently screened popular films.

The cinema management chose movies that had the potential to captivate the audience.

Mammootty’s Aavanazhi (1996), Mohanlal’s Chithram (1988), Kilukkam (1991), Sphadikam (1995), Thommanum Makkalum (2005), Nerariyan CBI (2005), Mazhathullikilukkam (2002), and CID Moosa (2003) are some of the super hit films showcased in the cinema hall over the years.

Shihas, a regular moviegoer at Apsara, has some fond memories of the cinema hall.

According to him, Apsara always showcased movies that gained a cult status or were trending. For instance, the Bollywood movie Gupt (1997) saw good collections at the Apsara Theatre.

The sound was enhanced to Dolby for this movie. “Soldier (1998), Kaho Na Pyaar Hai (2000), Mission Kashmir (2000), and Mohabbatein (2000) are some of the Hindi movies which I watched at Apsara”, Shihas mentioned.

Closure of single screens

Industry insiders disclosed that there is a conflict in the family concerning the property where Apsara Theatre stands and a legal case is pending in the court.

The cinema won’t be operating as before as the family wishes to sell the property. No one from the family is available to comment on the issue.

Several single-screen cinemas in Kozhikode city and the Kozhikode district have closed down recently.

Agreeing to a consider distributed in the Worldwide Media Diary by Sreesanth K, Kozhikode Taluk alone had 58 cinema theaters in the past, counting A, B, and C centers. However, 40 of them ceased showing films.

Most of these movie halls were replaced by commercial complexes and other establishments.

Movie viewing patterns

The study also indicated a shift in movie-viewing patterns. The frequency of cinema-going varied between EP (elder participants) and YP (younger participants) from oral history accounts.

EP-12 (2018) states, “I as it were go to the motion pictures when there’s a great film, it has great audits, and is great in all aspects.”

This viewpoint was prevalent among the oral accounts of most EPs, underscoring their discerning approach to watching movies in theaters.

However, despite similarities with EPs in the frequency of movie-going, oral history accounts note that the "influence of companions" is a crucial factor that encourages YPs to watch films in cinemas.

Existing cinemas in Kozhikode

Meanwhile, new multiplexes have recently been established in Kozhikode.

Radha Picture Palace is now operated by Listin Stephen’s Magic Frames.

Coronation underwent a major renovation and now boasts three screens. It is operated by ARC Cinemas.

Crown Theatre is also running well in the city.

Kairali-Sree Theatre underwent a significant renovation and reopened after the Covid-19 lockdown.

Mohanlal’s Aashirvad Cinemas operates a multiplex in RP Mall, while Cinepolis recently opened in Galleria Mall.
Hi-lite Mall has its own brand of cinema — Palaxi Cinemas which is yet to be launched.

Similarly, PVR Cinemas is soon anticipated to commence its operations in the Lulu Mall.