Shenoys Theatre
Shenoys Theatre is a five-screen multiplex cinema hall in the South Indian city Kochi, Kerala. Located in the Mahatma Gandhi Road, it was opened in 1969 as a single-screen theatre. Until its temporary closure in 2015 for the renovation works, it was billed as one of the largest single-screen theatres in Kerala with a seating capacity for 1250 people. It was reopened in 2021 as a multiplex. Shenoys was the second cinema in Asia to have the Vistarama projection. Known for its circular structure, it is considered a heritage landmark building in Kochi.

History
In 1944, Lakhsmanan Shenoy built the Lakshman Theatre in Kochi, followed by the Padma Theatre in 1946. After constructing Sridhar Theatre in Kochi in 1964, the Shenoy family became known as Kochi's theatre family. Foreigners who came to Sridhar Theatre to watch English movies gave a new concept of Vistarama screen to the Shenoys family. This led to the construction of Shenoys Theatre, the flagship project of eponymous family. The screen was 80 feet long and 30 feet wide. Instead of a flat screen, Shenoy's had a curved inward screen for about 18 feet. Govinda Rao from Chennai was the architect of the theatre, who built the building in accordance with the curved screen of the theatre. The theater also had a six-track stereophonic sound system. It was opened in 1969 by the President of India V.V Giri. The American film Winning starring was the first movie screened at Shenoys.

In 2015, the theatre was closed for reconstructing it into a multiplex. It underwent extensive renovation lasting over four-five years and was transformed with five multiplex screens, by preserving its monumental circular structure built in the art deco style. Shenoys Theatre was reopened in February 2021 with the screening of Operation Java, Saajan Bakery Since 1962,  and Yuvam. The new multiplex has five multiplex screens, including a screen with exclusive recliner seating.

See also
Kokers Theatre
Apsara Theatre
Padma Theatre

References

Cinemas in Kochi
Buildings and structures in Kochi
1969 establishments in Kerala
Malayalam cinema
20th-century architecture in India