Once a cinema landmark, now reduced to nothing

Once a cinema landmark, now reduced to nothing Published – August 21, 2026 10: 36 pm IST – Chennai.

Key points

• Built by Yeshwant Veecumsee, Safire cinema hall could seat around 1, 000 individuals while the medium sized Emerald screened Hindi and Tamil films.
• It is 1964 and walking down Mount Road, the massive Safire Theatre Complex could not be missed.
• After ruling the world of cinema-goers in Chennai, Safire began to show signs of cracking, by the 1980s.
• In 1994, the Safire Theatre Complex was sold to the AIADMK.

Once a cinema landmark, now reduced to nothing Published – August 21, 2026 10: 36 pm IST – Chennai. The Safire theatre on Mount Road in 1994. Photo Credit: THANTHONI S.

It is 1964 and walking down Mount Road, the massive Safire Theatre Complex could not be missed. As it was known, brought 70 mm filmscreening to the city, with its widescreen opening show of Cleopatra showcasing in Madras, the Veecumsee's Safire.

In practice, the Safire Theatre Complex, was one of the first multiplex cinema complexes in India. Owned by a diamond merchant family, the multiplex featured Safire, Blue Diamond and Emerald theatres. In the basement was a disco and restaurant Nine Gems and afterwards named Navaratna.

Built by Yeshwant Veecumsee, Safire cinema hall could seat around 1, 000 individuals while the medium sized Emerald screened Hindi and Tamil films. The Blue Diamond screen introduced the concept of continuous screenings to Indian cinema, The Hindu had documented. For the cost of ₹2.50, you could stroll in and stroll out whenever and spend the whole day there. The Blue Diamond mostly screened 'oldies' and second runs.

Safire is most famous for screening iconic english films in the city. From My Fair Lady published in 1964 to The Sound of Music issued in 1965 and Poseidon Adventure in 1972, plenty of residents recalled watching their first English film in Safire.

"I had watched the Poseidon Adventure when it was showing in the city. Watching it with a friend in Safire we had planned the whole day around it. The movie traumatised me and then came out of the theatre to pouring rain in Chennai. We were so scared and meanwhile so thrilled for the experience, " remarked Ramesh, 65.

For over two decades cinema was defined by the Safire theatre, recounted Chennai residents.

"After ruling the world of cinema-goers in Chennai, Safire began to show signs of cracking, by the 1980s. With Cable TV keeping viewers at home, the crowds dwindled to almost nothing, and the Veecumsees closed down the complex, " remarked an article from The Hindu Archives by historian S. Muthiah in 2003.

In 1994, the Safire Theatre Complex was sold to the AIADMK. Nevertheless, the complex was neither razed down nor working for the next decade; sitting idle and gathering dust. The dilapidated building, once a landmark in its heyday, was then demolished in 2003. Today it is a vacant plot of land on the busy Anna Salai.

Taken together, the developments around once a cinema landmark, now reduced to nothing point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.