Deekshith D V
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Dec 6: In a sad news for Mangalureans, one of the city's best known landmarks for over 50 years, Jyothi theatre, popularly known as 'Jyothi Talkies', is being permanently shut as a result of the lockdown. News of the closure of the acclaimed theatre has disheartened many cinema lovers, especially Tulu cinema lovers as the iconic theatre has created history by screening several Tulu movies.

According to sources, Karnataka theatres Unit Limited has made an agreement with a Mumbai-based builder to construct a commercial complex as a joint venture. The agreement was made several years ago but due to technical glitches, it could not be materialised until now.

Now, as the theatre is closed due to Covid-19 pandemic, it said that the theatre might be closed permanently. The work on commercial building is reportedly likely to start in the month of January or February 2021.

File Photos

The theatre holds a special place in the hearts of Mangalureans. In fact, situated in the heart of the city, the area (in Balmatta) got its name 'Jyothi' due to the theatre. Huge, colourful movie hoardings with vibrant buntings catch the attention of anyone driving along the theatre, especially on weekends that see new movie releases.

Several Sandalwood film stars including Dr Rajkumar, Dr Vishnuvardhan, and Ambarish and others had visited the theatre during the release of their films.

Though the theatre has a history of more than 50 years, it was the only theatre that screened Tulu movies, except for some of the multiplex screenings. Fans of regional cinema would prefer Jyothi Talkies as it screened Tulu and Kannada movies week after week. To date, producers of Tulu movies prefer Jyothi theatre and it is still their first preference.

Sadly for Mangalureans, the closure of Jyothi Talkies comes shortly after the recent shutting down of another landmark, Central theatre.

For those associated with the Tulu film industry, the closure of the theatre is an emotional moment.

Speaking to daijiworld, journalist Jaganath Shetty Bala who closely follows the Tulu movie industry said, "Losing Jyothi theatre is a great loss to Tulu movie industry. Many producers of the industry gave first priority to Jyothi theatre to screen their movies.

"The closure of Nataraj theatre in Suratkal has also disappointed cinema lovers and many theatres in various other taluks of undivided Dakshina Kannada is also a painful development," he added.

Speaking to daijiworld, Tulu movie and theatre director Vijaykumar Kodialbail said, "Some people are saying Jyothi theatre will shut down, but the management has denied it. Closure of Jyothi theatre really hurts. Some say a multiplex theatre will come up in its place.

"Jyothi theatre like the 'head office' for Tulu movie industry. We get huge box office collection from here. Screening a Tulu movie in Jyothi theatre is the dream of every producer. Several movies could not gain popularity simply because this theatre was not available. So I say, if multiplex is indeed coming in its place, let it happen soon," he added.

Tulu and Kannada movie director Veerendra Shetty Kavoor told daijiworld, "Closure of Jyothi theatre is really painful. The closure of single-screen theatres is affecting the Tulu movie industry. Jyothi has screened several movies, and it gave special prominence to Tulu language. No other theatre in Mangaluru is supporting Tulu language movies like Jyothi theatre did.

"Moreover, I have an emotional attachment with the theatre, as the first film 'Chaali Polilu' successfully completed 100 days here," he recalled.