Mangaluru: End of an era - City's iconic Jyothi theatre to shut down permanently


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.

 

 

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • El En Tea, Mangalore

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    Hope Jyothi circle will not be renamed to Adani circle

    DisAgree [11] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Juliet Mascarenhas, Bejai Mangalore

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    Vijaya Bank murdered.Jyothi Talkies is going to be buried. ALOYSIUS COLLEGE was in existence prior to these will remain forever.Long live St Aloysius College with its name and fame

    DisAgree [13] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Bharath, Mangalore

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    I doubt even "Jyothi Shetty" staying in USA knows, she has become that famous in Mangalore, that a bus stop or junction is named after her. Jyothi is only daughter of Shri Bhavani Shankar Shetty (Founder member of Vijaya Bank). With a theatre built at the adjacent plot and named after her. At their old age had to shift to USA to stay with their daughter JYOTHI. A house belonging to them was just opposite CV Nayak Hall was sold to BR Shetty. Long live JYOTHI....

    DisAgree [1] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Gabriel Lewis, Brahmavar

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    Good move.
    Karnataka doesn't need film theaters but educational institutions, hospitals & jobs for both young & the old.

    DisAgree [12] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangaluru/Kuwait

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    Shri Narendra Modi Circle or Rectangle ?
    Better a temple !

    DisAgree [10] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangaluru/Kuwait

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    Jossey Saldanha, MumbaiMon, Dec 7 2020
    I will fondly remember Jyothi Theatre as my Dating Point ...
    Truly said.
    For me it was in close proximity.
    Highland to Jyothi talkies. (walking and Rickshaw fair saved)
    Mostly Kannada movies used to be shown in Jyothi.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • rahulraj, kadri

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    change in inevitable...jyothi talkies was looking itself in a dilapidated state with stone compound. Now need to build a modern glass claded building so that Mangalore downtown looks posh.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • H. Almeida., Bendur/Andheri

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    The tragic deaths of landmarks single screen cinema halls, are widely replicated across India... Land sharks, were eyeing this prime piece of land... Wonder if a mall would emerge from its ruins !!!

    DisAgree Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Suresh, Mangaluru.

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    I remember seeing 'Naa Ninna Mareyalaare' in Jyothi. What a performance by Anna and music by Rajan Nagendra.
    Also remember seeing 'Naa Ninna Bidalaare' in Suchitra. The Anant Naag spirit still gives one the creeps. Superb lyrics by Chi.Udayshankar ..O/S music by Rajan Nagendra.
    The first film title suits a Sweet Heart, the second one suits only a WIFE according to some. Is it true?
    Bye dear Jyothi and thank you for all the fond memories.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Suresh, Mangalore

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    Is that why Jyothi's time is up but Suchitra continues..

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shivaprasad K U, Mangalore

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    As per my knowledge this circle is already renamed as "Abedkar Circle" long ago.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shankar, Mangaluru

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    The fact is that all the owners of single screen stand alone theatres concentrated only making profits. They never bothered to get Dolby, DTS or TSH. Jyothi theatre was one of the lasts to get a better audio system, I think they got Dolby Dolby Digiltal 2.2, while Dolby has released several updates later, the recent being Dolby Atmos.
    The seats remains the same. Had they offered the same comforts and technology like multiplexes, they would have had a long life.
    I would always prefer nachos with salsa while watching a movie than 'kodeda samosa, ithe becha malthina'!!!

    DisAgree [7] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Af,,, MANGALORE

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    Hope this will not be a "Bhagya" circle in future.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shankar, Mangaluru

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    Shri Narendra Modi Circle!

    DisAgree [25] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohit, Mangalore

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    OMG!!!!! What a Sad news for Mangalorean's and specially for students of St' Aloysius college. Undaunted identity of meeting point for friends during our college days. Theatre always busting with activity & filled with movie goers. Outside the gate you could find some black marketer's for selling the movie ticket. Many have made a living out of it during those olden days. Landmark of Balmatta. Very sad to leave it to go..... Good Old memories lies in this area.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent D'Souza, Belthangady

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    Can anyone tell me who owns this Theatre Complex?

    DisAgree [4] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.L., Udupi/USA

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    Let remain the name of the circle ⭕️ Jyothi circle, please don’t give some nonsense names .

    DisAgree [3] Agree [36] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sp, Mangalore

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    It's official name is Ambedkar circle

    DisAgree [6] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anthony H Crasta, Granville/Sydney

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    I saw the 1957 film , The bridge on the river Kwai, at this theatre , in the year 1960, viz. 60 years ago! Lots of old time memories!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    I will fondly remember Jyothi Theatre as my Dating Point ...

    DisAgree [14] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Krishna, Mangaluru

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    Where are those dates?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shankar, Mangaluru

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    You should not forget the bush filled Tagore park

    DisAgree Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sahil, Mangaluru

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    Nowadays who Wil go theatre.just mobile..... Tik tok videos more popular than huchha venkatappa film.

    DisAgree [11] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Wilfred, Karnataka

    Sun, Dec 06 2020

    Very sad, Jyothi talkies is land mark stop for meet , greet, drop point, catch vehicle and more, No value for old buildings , old trees, old people, finally it replaced by commercial complex, kindly keep the name as it is JYOYHI Commercial complex / center, Jyothy means LIGHT .

    DisAgree [1] Agree [52] Reply Report Abuse

  • Manohar, Mangalore

    Sun, Dec 06 2020

    Now it's a time to give suitable name to that particular area. Because Jyoti theatre now not exist. The name of Jyoti also faded. So decide in advance, names like koto chennya or abbakka cercle or sunder ram Shetty etc. As your likes.

    DisAgree [47] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Manu, Udupi

    Sun, Dec 06 2020

    Good one.
    Your suggestion will work only when it has the little touch of minority community and enough politics for the jobless to play around to fool the fanatic public.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Santosh, Mangalore

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    Jyothi meaning lamp which sheds light is an apt name. It will be a legacy to the Talkies. No need to change its name after anyone. Keep politics aside. Jai Tulunadu.

    DisAgree Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • geoffrey, hat hill

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    In that case Bolpu would be more appropriate than Jyothi.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dylan, Mangalore

    Mon, Dec 07 2020

    When Jyothi theatre is faded away we will no more have Jyothi as a area, though it has touched everyone some how. But please do not recommend Sunder Rama Shetty as a alternative name. The Vijaya Bank all vanished. So also it's founder and etc.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Mangaluru: End of an era - City's iconic Jyothi theatre to shut down permanently



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