The Apsara Theatre was a cinema theatre located in the South Indian city of Kozhikode in Kerala, that functioned from 1971 to 2023.[1] It was located on Link Road near Kozhikode railway station. With 1013 seats, Apsara was one of the biggest cinemas in Kerala and a heritage landmark of Kozhikode.[2]
| Address | Railway station link road, Kozhikode, Kerala, India |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1013 |
| Opened | 8 August 1971 |
| Closed | 28 June 2023 |
| Years active | 1971–2023 |
Overview
editApsara Theatre was inaugurated on 8 August 1971 by Malayalam actors Prem Naseer and Sharada. The family-owned single screen theatre was founded by Thomman Joseph Kochupuraikal. With a 70.70 mm screen, at the time of its opening, Apsara was advertised as Kerala's largest air-conditioned theatre.[3] It was one of the few theaters in Kerala with more than 1000 seating capacity. The first movie to be screened at Apsara was Abhijatyam directed by A Vincent. Apsara was a family owned theatre. In May 2023, reports came out that Apsara theatre was facing closure due to some disagreement among the members of the family.[4] Also with the advent of multiplexes, it was not financially profitable to run single-screen theatres. On June 28, Apsara had its last show by screening the movie Thrishanku. It was one of the biggest theatres in Kerala and biggest single-screen theatre in Kozhikode until its closure.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Kozhikode's iconic Apsara Theatre finally draws curtains". English.Mathrubhumi. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ "It's 'The End' for Apsara, Kozhikode's biggest single-screen theatre". OnManorama. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ "Apsara, a reminder of plight of single-screen theatres and cinema-owners". The Hindu. 3 June 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ Ramachandran, Arjun (4 June 2023). "As Iconic Apsara Theatre in Kozhikode rings down the curtain, nostalgia time for film lovers". The South First. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ ലേഖകൻ, മാധ്യമം (31 May 2023). "കോഴിക്കോടിന്റെ ഓർമച്ചെപ്പിലേക്ക് കുടിയേറി അപ്സര തിയറ്റർ | Madhyamam". www.madhyamam.com (in Malayalam). Retrieved 9 July 2023.