Urvashi Theatre A Fading Era of Single-Screen Cinemas

Bengaluru's iconic Urvashi Theatre, a beloved single-screen cinema, has shut down after a 50-year run. The theatre, which could seat over 1,100 people, was known for its electrifying atmosphere and houseful shows. It witnessed remarkable box office milestones, including Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, KGF: Chapter 2, and multiple films featuring Rajinikanth.

For many fans, watching a film at Urvashi was more than entertainment, it was an experience. The theatre's closure comes after a long property dispute, with the lease agreement expiring in 2018. The Karnataka High Court ruled in favour of the landowners, ordering demolition by February 15, 2026.

Urvashi Theatre's shutdown reflects the larger challenges faced by single-screen cinemas across India. High maintenance costs, declining revenues, and competition from multiplexes and OTT platforms have contributed to this decline. Producer Uday K Mehta notes that single screens can't survive on one superstar release a year, indicating a fall in Karnataka's film industry.

The theatre's closure marks the end of an era, with many single screens vanishing from Bengaluru's landscape. Kapali, Cauvery, and now Urvashi are examples of this trend. For cinephiles, Urvashi was more than a theatre, it was a landmark of emotion and community.