Know Your City: 50-year-old Sampige Theatre fights to keep Malleswaram’s entertainment legacy alive

The theatre was launched in 1976 with Vishnuvardhan-starrer Makkala Bhagya – a family entertainer. Film buffs in Malleswaram recall that whenever a theatre was launched in the 70s or 80s it was a tradition to first screen the doyen actor Rajkumar’s films. However, Sampige Theatre was the first to break this tradition and screen a Vishnuvardhan film. In fact, this also came at a time when the fan rivalry between the two Kannada superstars had reached its peak. Notably, the theatre also witnessed a huge footfall of doctors when Vishnuvardhan’s film Bandhana was released. Vishnuvardhan, plays the role of a doctor in the film.

Interestingly, Vishnuvardhan-starrer Sose Thanda Sowbhagya, the first Kannada film shot in cinemascope was screened at Sampige Theatre for the first time. (Express photos by Jithendra M.)

S Ramakrishna, a producer and a scriptwriter who works in Kannada and Tamil language films and also a resident of Malleswaram, said that Sampige Theatre has pioneered in many fronts. “Sampige Theatre was the first to introduce the concept of noon show in the 80s. The theatre predominantly screened Kannada language films till the 80s. However, after 80s the theatre leaned towards screening a lot of Tamil language films while balancing Kannada films. Tamil films were screened mostly in the morning and noon shows and attracted a lot of footfall,” he told The Indian Express.

He mentioned that the theatre was the first to break the tradition of not screening a Rajkumar film when it launched. “The theatre was seen as a bastion for Vishnuvardhan films. Vishnuvardhan’s favourite theatre was Sampige,” Ramakrishna said.

In fact, Ramakrishna also said that Sampige Theatre was the first to screen ‘benefit shows’ also known as paid premium shows a day before the release. The benefit show was usually attended by celebrities and fans. “I still remember my first benefit show was Vishnuvardhan’s Vijay Vikram where he played a dual role. The ticket price was Re 1.25 paise for general class, Rs 2 for middle class and Rs 2.50/75 paise for balcony,” said Ramakrishna.

Interestingly, Vishnuvardhan-starrer Sose Thanda Sowbhagya, the first Kannada film shot in cinemascope was screened at Sampige Theatre for the first time.

Moreover, besides the family audience, the patronage for Sampige Theatre increased due to the workers from a mill adjacent to the theatre called the Raja Mill (now Mantri Square Mall).

When the theatre veered towards screening mostly Tamil language films post 80s, it garnered mostly Tamil speaking audience from Srirampura and neighbouring areas with Tamil population. (Express photos by Jithendra M.)

“Sampige Theatre was at a perfect juncture of celebration and entertainment. Workers from Raja Mill used to venture out during lunch breaks. They used to gather at the park opposite the mill and have lunch together. Sometimes they used to take a day off abruptly and go to Sampige to watch a movie. Opposite to Sampige there was also New Krishna Bhavan, a famous food joint which now stands closed. Workers also used to have lunch there and watch movies. Therefore, Sampige Theatre was strategically located at a place throwing up a perfect combination of work, food and entertainment,” said Ramakrishna.

When the theatre veered towards screening mostly Tamil language films post 80s, it garnered mostly Tamil speaking audience from Srirampura and neighbouring areas with Tamil population. Rajinikanth-starrer Johnny was the first Tamil film to be screened at Sampige. In fact, Sampige Theatre was also the entertainment destination for college-going students of Seshadripuram College, located just a few streets away from the theatre.

While the theatre made successful business in the last five decades, the deteriorating quality of Indian cinema has made it difficult for the owners to catch up with the rising operational and maintenance costs. Now Sampige joins the league of other single screen theatres such as Kapali, Cauvery, Geetanjali, Nanda, and Shanti that closed the business due to financial and operational constraints.

Ramesh, one of the current partners of the theatre and son of Venkatesh, told The Indian Express that the dip in quality of films has shown them a bleak future. “We are not able to cover our operational and maintenance costs and we are financially in a very difficult position. The theatre is screening films as of now, but going ahead we need to see what happens,” he said.

Ramakrishna said that it was heartbreaking to see another single screen theatre on the verge of closure. “The rise of OTT platforms and the deteriorating quality of films has impacted the business models of several single screen theatres. Sampige seems like a latest victim,” he added.