Another beloved Bengaluru landmark, Sampige Theatre, is set to close its doors after over five decades of cinematic glory. Nestled in the heart of Malleshwaram, this iconic single-screen venue, known for hosting blockbuster Kannada movie premieres, will soon make way for a new chapter.
The management is now seeking buyers for the prime property, citing mounting financial difficulties as the reason behind the decision. Reduced film revenues, increasing competition from multiplexes, and the inability to sustain with ticket prices capped at ₹200 have made operations unsustainable. “Good films that generate enough revenue are rare these days. Running a single screen in today’s economy is a major challenge,” said Ramesh Nadubeedi Venkatesh, one of the theatre’s partners.
Sampige Theatre, which opened in 1976 with the screening of Makkala Bhagya, holds a special place in Bengaluru’s cinematic history. Legends like Dr. Rajkumar and Rajinikanth were regular patrons. However, the theatre’s run will continue for a few more days until a real estate deal is finalized.
The closure echoes the fate of another iconic single-screen venue, Cauvery Theatre, which recently shut down and is being transformed into a commercial complex. The fading of such landmarks signals the decline of the single-screen era in Bengaluru, replaced by sprawling multiplexes and commercial ventures.
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