When hits arrived by Madras Mail: At 50, Kottayam's first AC theatre is housefull with memories

Across the KSRTC depot in Kottayam town stands a grey, old-fashioned building that has witnessed half a century of cinematic history — Anupama Theatre - the district's first air-conditioned theatre. Inaugurated in May 1975, Anupama theatre introduced locals to pushback seats and a premium viewing experience. News about the pleasure of watching a film in an air-conditioned hall drew large crowds for every major film release. Over the years, countless films have been released to a fanfare of processions and percussion beats on the compound of the theatre.

“People travelling on buses could identify who had just watched a movie at Anupama — they would carry a unique fragrance from the AC vents inside the theatre,” recalls K D Babu, who has been associated with the theatre since its inception. He joined in his twenties after completing his pre-degree, following in the footsteps of his father, who also worked with the Vazhakala family, the original owners.

Anupama was built at a cost of ₹18 lakh in partnership between Vazhakala Thomas Korah and Neerakkal N J Cyriac. Eventually, the Neerakkal family exited, and the theatre is now managed by the third generation of the Vazhakala family. At the time of its opening, there were only three other theatres in Kottayam — Anand, Star, and Rajam Hall (now Anaswara).

The opening ceremony itself was a grand affair, attended by Malayalam film legends Sarada, Madhu, and Jayabharathi. Actor Madhu inaugurated the theatre by cutting the ribbon, Jayabharathi switched on the projector, and Sarada lit the ceremonial lamp. The first film screened was the Hindi language 'Rajnigandha'.

Initially, Anupama had 1,091 seats divided into unique categories — King's Chamber, Prince’s Chamber, Upper Circle, Middle Circle, and Lower Circle — with balcony tickets priced at ₹5. The staff strength was around 35, including ticket counter clerks, gatekeepers, AC and projector operators, and security personnel. Today, only about 10 staff members manage operations.

Until 2000, the theatre used analogue projectors. Film reels arrived daily on the Madras Mail, and delays were common. “We never issued tickets until the reels reached the compound,” says Babu. “Fetching the film boxes from the railway station was like a celebration.” Each movie came in 7–8 spools, with Anupama operating twin projectors to ensure seamless viewing — unlike smaller theatres, which often paused between reels.

Babu proudly shares that the theatre was known for its excellent visibility: even someone seated at the farthest corner could enjoy a clear view of the screen. Films ran for extended periods — some for over 150 days — and every major release turned the theatre compound and nearby roads into festive grounds. Police assistance was often required to manage the enthusiastic crowds, especially for first-day-first-show releases of stars like Mammootty and Mohanlal.

He vividly remembers the chaos during the 1993 release of 'Devasuram', when the film reels got delayed due to a train service disruption. The reels were flown to Nedumbassery and rushed to Kottayam by car, with the first show being cancelled and the remaining starting by 2 pm amid a restless crowd.

In 1998, ahead of the release of 'Harikrishnans', rumours spread that Anupama wouldn’t screen the film. But one of the owners personally drove to Chennai and secured the reels three days before the release, not bringing them to the theatre but still opening bookings. “People saw the queue and simply joined it. It extended all the way to the main road,” says Babu.

Anupama also played a pioneering role in Kottayam's cinema culture — it was the first to introduce noon shows to accommodate overlapping releases, a trend later adopted by nearby theatres. It helped create a market for Hindi films in town, with Amitabh Bachchan’s 'Sholay' running for at least 25 days — an unusual feat back then. The theatre even brought back the film multiple times due to popular demand. English films were also screened, usually on Sundays.

Over the decades, the theatre has hosted numerous stars. Actress Seema once watched 'Ezham Kadalinakkare' in a special 7 am show arranged just for her during a film shoot in Kottayam to avoid crowd frenzy.

Today, Anupama seats 620 people in two classes — Kings and Princes — and features a 4K Dolby 7.1 sound system. Its most successful recent release was 'Manjummel Boys'.

Babu calls Anupama a “theatre of luck.” “No matter the film, people would come. It was — and still is — a place of stories, memories, and magic.”