Mangaluru: New Chitra - curtains down on first ever movie theatre in Dakshina Kannada


Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Sep 18: The first ever theatre of Dakshina Kannada (DK), 'New Chitra', which had been able to carve out a niche for itself by screening films of various languages, has not been showing any movies since about a month.

The entire area where this theatre is located has come to be known as 'New Chitra' because of the fact that this was the most popular and significant building in this locality. Another theatre in the city, 'Platinum' had stopped working a month ahead of New Chitra.

'New Chitra' happened to be the venture of Kochikar Vittaldas Pai from Brahmavar. He along with a partner, set up 'Hindustan Cinema', which was the first ever cinema theatre in the region, in 1926.

In course of time, the theatre had gained lot of popularity. Initially, because it was the period of silent cinema, the practice of a few people getting seated among the audience and giving voices to characters was in vogue. After talkie films started to be made, Vittaldas Pai took over the reins of the theatre and renamed it as 'Shree Chitra Talkies' in 1936. Hindi movie, 'Mukti', was the first ever film to be exhibited here. Thereafter, most of the time, English movies were being screened here although occasionally Tamil and Hindi movies also were listed.

The children of Vittaldas Pai renovated the theatre in 1973 and christened it as 'New Chitra'. 'Titanic' and 'Enter the Dragon' were the movies which drew highest number of audiences at this theatre. Some Kannada and Telugu movies were also screened in this theatre having a capacity of 572. A Hindi movie, 'Sant Jnaneshwar' had an extended run at this theatre. The threatre is currently being managed by K Devadas Pai and Shankar Pai brothers, third in the generation of K Vittaldas Pai. Shankar Pai attributed the decision for stopping operation as crashing of market, adding that a decision about the theatre would be taken soon.

The local people recall that this theatre had also been transformed into marriage hall, theatre for plays with Dr Rajkumar as an actor, and auditorium for music programmes like that of Bimsen Joshi as per the need of the hour.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Naveen prabhu, Udupi

    Fri, Sep 22 2017

    Felt nostalgic whenever i heard the name chitra talkies ....fond memories of all the english movies i watched my growing up years in mangalore....the Fine Young Cannibals soundtrack sounded better there than at home....arnold Schwarzenegger posters donning on the walls of the theatre was mesmerizing as a young movie buff and i still remember it.
    Will miss this landmark of Mangalore and now only in my memories.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • KS Mayya, Mangalore/Bangalore

    Tue, Sep 19 2017

    Prime location means that leveraging its real estate price might make economical sense than run this theatre in competition with the multiplex theatres. Lot of memories of this landmark. Will not be surprised if a multistory complex of commercial and residential building comes up in its place.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Praful, Jeppu

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    I will always remember New Chitra with fond memories of Mangalore. Friday nights and a change to a new release movie was definitely a place to be, sometimes even a matinee.

    I am really sad to see the closure of a place that brought much delight to many a movie fan of Mangalore and South Kanara.

    A salute to the Pai family who had kept New Chitra going for 91 years. May you have success in whatever replaces New Chitra.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nostalgic, Nanthoor

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    First time I heard Billy Joel - I think it was the Glass Houses album (circa 1980) - on that magnificent sound system.

    thanks New Chitra.

    DisAgree Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rems, Mangaluru

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    With quality sound and projection, Newchitra was a treat for English movie lovers. I have watched some of the best hollywood movies in this theater. My most memorable movie experience here was 'Exorcist'. I still dread that name and don't have the courage to watch it again. Unfortunately i had to see the gradual demise of this theater because of revenue issues. I wish conventional movie theaters like Newchitra remained for the true movie experience they provide. The only reason I hate to go now a days is because of bugs, toilet smell and unruly audience. I feel within a couple of years, the mall hounds will take over and movie theaters will become a thing of the past.

    DisAgree Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shams, Mangalore

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    Even I went on

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangalore/Kuwait

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    New Chitra is theator !
    Those days 60's - 80's we used to watch English Western (cowboy, action, thrillers movies and mostly horror films (Daraculla different episoldes)
    The problem after watching the horror films, was reaching back home. We used to be a group of 3-4 boys, but walking from Carstreet to Valencia used tobe bit adventrus. (Draculla used to send fervours)All the way running to reach home.

    DisAgree Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • prem, mlre

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    i hv seen movies in new chitra..bunking classes vth my mates, golden memories..even balaji talkies 4+ 4 MALYALI MOVIE.... CANT FORGET those days...1992---1997....

    DisAgree [3] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ondu Motte, ABU DHABI

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    4 + 4 was released in 1989.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • prem, moodbidri

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    4+4?
    Was that about mathematics?

    DisAgree [6] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Chumma D, Mangalore

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    4+4 released many times after its initial release. Very favourite among young boys!! :)

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Report Abuse

  • Chumma D, Mangalore

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    Anyone remember the taste of interval Samosa? Amazing taste.

    DisAgree Agree [8] Report Abuse

  • John Tauro, M'luru / Kwt

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    I think Charles Bronson’s “The Red Sun” was the first movie I saw in New Chitra, probably in the mid-70’s. I remember getting more interested in movies after watching Vinod Khanna’s “Mere Apne” at Prabhat in 1972.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • FRANCIS, Dubai

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    I too have seen this 'The Red Sun" but I don't remember the year. Just googled it to know the story. Even Vinod Khanna’s “Mere Apne' is also a superb movie. After reading your message, just reminiscing those old days...

    DisAgree Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    I can't forget Ramakanti and Balaji's Bed bugs!!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ivar, Mangaluru

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    Change is inevitable.
    This is the era of comfort. Individual theaters can never match VOX, INOX or PVR in comfort and luxury. Now no one is ready to sit in a non-ac theater for three hours.
    Yes, New Chitra, Balaji, Roopavani, Ramakanthis were a part of our lives, but it is time to shed the useless attachments and move on.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nithin Poojary, Mangalore

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    I first bunk the class along with my friend, when I was in 7th standard to watch the movie "Cliff Hanger" in New Chitra. That was my first movie bunking the classes. Mangalore is changing, all the old monuments are getting replaced.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ramesh Baliga, Mangalore

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    Cannot forget "Eye of the tiger" played during intervals....I still play it in my Mobile phone,Which takes me back to new chitra days...!!!

    DisAgree Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Navin Shetty, Manipal/ Bahrain

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    I watched Jurassic Park in New Chitra in 1994. The theater lost its charm as they started showing adult movies, I think.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ondu Motte, ABU DHABI

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    Nothing Beats Balaji ;) ...Thats for those Kids who lived in 80 s and early 90 s ;)

    DisAgree [2] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Innondu motte,, Mangalore/mangalore

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    Correct anna...!!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Chumma D, Mangalore

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    Lots of sweet memories of watching English movies in this theater bunking my classes. Very painful to know that it stopped its operations. All my younger days were filled with joys of watching some fantastic movies here. Thanks New Chitra.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • J.F.D SOUZA, Attaavar, Mangalore

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    No doubt it is one of the oldest Theater in mangalore situated at Kudroli famous for screening english movies. Along with my friends I used to go to see english movies though it is in far off place. Now I learn that it is closed because of carrying some repairs. under any circumstances our New Chithra talkies should not be closed like Platinum Talkies situated at Falnir. It is not known whether New Chithra will be shutdown once for all or continued further. we are eager to know about this.

    DisAgree Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • FRANCIS, Dubai

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    Great name 'New Chitra' and great movies displayed by this theatre. I still remember during those old days, year right from 1973, I used to watch English movies in this theatre and enjoy it. New Chitra was the only theatre which was screening English movies.

    I still cherish those great old memories.......

    DisAgree Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Arun .N, Mangalore

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    New Chitra our favourite theatre during our college days in the 80's , we had our dose of Hollywood movies and meet our friends those matinees were unforgettable when Mlore had limited entertainment.

    DisAgree Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • geoffrey, hat hill

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    Having spent quite a few hours of my teenage years and early 20s at NC, can't help feeling nostalgic now.

    DisAgree Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Marle, Kudla

    Mon, Sep 18 2017

    Lots of sweet memories associated with the theater especially the college days, was a hangout place while bunking classes.

    DisAgree Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Mangaluru: New Chitra - curtains down on first ever movie theatre in Dakshina Kannada



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