Madurai: The fire accident at the old Central Theatre in Madurai has left the building looking badly damaged and disfigured. This has caused concern among cinema fans.
One of Madurai’s identities is its cinema theatres. Theatres have long been an important place of entertainment for the people of Madurai. Today, some old theatres like Chinthamani have been converted into commercial establishments. In that sense, the old Central Theatre, located very close to the west tower of the Meenakshi Amman Temple, had been functioning continuously.
After the coronavirus outbreak, this theater was closed under the name of maintenance. However, it is said that the premises were also used as a car parking area and as a warehouse for storing toys and various plastic items.
In this situation, a fire broke out last night in the car parking area operating within the theater premises. The fire also spread to the plastic warehouse on the upper floor. More than 15 fire engines were brought in, and firefighters battled to extinguish the blaze.
Smoke continued to billow even today for the second day. Firefighters were continuously engaged in extinguishing the fire. This fire accident has now left the Central Theatre’s very identity damaged and charred, causing concern among cinema fans.
Regarding the Central Theatre, Madurai-based film critic Ku. Ganesan said: “The Central Theatre was established in Madurai city in 1939. Only in this theatre, which had 1,732 seats, were separate seats arranged exclusively for women.
Actor Thiyaraasar Bhagavathar himself attended the success celebration of the film ‘Sivakavi,’ in which he starred. When films of actors Sivaji Ganesan and MGR also ran for many days and celebrated such milestones, they too attended in person. Older films are screened more often than new ones. It has also served as a shooting location for some films like Subramaniapuram.
Because it is located very close to the city center, Meenakshi Amman Temple, Periyar bus stand, and the railway station, those who come to the Meenakshi Temple have traditionally made it a habit to watch movies at this theater. Most of the films released here have run for more than 100 days.
After 1990, as small theaters increased in Madurai, the release of new films in old theaters like Central declined. In such a situation, it was closed from 2022 onward, citing maintenance reasons,” he said.

Sudden Nagar police are investigating the cause of this fire accident. As preparations are underway for the consecration ceremony of the Meenakshiamman Temple, the number of devotees visiting has also been increasing every day. At this time, the fire accident that occurred in the theater near the temple has caused shock among the devotees.
