2 minute read

A Contemporising Effort

Popularly recalled as the Saraswathi Theatre, this cinema facility is located in the heart of Sellur in Madurai. Its ultraluxurious appeal and best-in-class cinema technologies and seating capacity of up to 1000 moviegoers, makes it one of the most coveted cinema entertainment facilities in the city.

Gopuram Cinemas is a historically renowned cinema structure that once was a single screen cinema with a huge balcony. Colloquially remembered as the Saraswathi Theatre, the once single screen cinema's auditorium had a seating capacity of 1000 moviegoers. The Chairman Anbuchezhian and Managing Director of the property Sushmitha Anbuchezhian thought if bringing in a wide array of movies, genres and varieties to the premises.

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Their vision led to the conversion of the single screen cinema complex into a three-screen luxurious and modern multiplex. The Chief Architect Punniamoorthi and Architect Anand of Dezign and Construction Studio,

Chennai approached this vision and unfolded their ideas. They came up with a solution to convert the firstclass seats into a screen and the balcony portion of the auditorium into yet another screen. They also brought in the lobby area that was vastly available on the first floor and introduced a mini screen within this multiplex. Altogether the three screens continue to carry on the 1000-seater legacy that is now boosted with ultra-luxurious seats. Complimenting the auditoriums, the cinema facility boasts a huge and spacious lobby area.

The civil work of the cinema facility was a challenging task because of the balcony area. When converting the single screen into a three-screen multiplex, the architects utilised MS fabrication work to extend into screen 1 since they did not want to lose any seats from screen 2. The immersive ambience of the auditorium compliments the 3D view and finishes each screen in a wine, red and golden coloured theme. All of these designs have been conceptualised and executed by Dezign and Construction Studio, Chennai. Screen 1 seats up to 525 moviegoers, screen 2 is equipped with 330 seats and the last mini screen, screen 3 accommodates 130 moviegoers. The audio technology is top notch with QSC speakers and the projection is equipped with laser projection from Barco.

"We had created two lobby spaces, one on the ground floor and the other on the first with luxurious alabaster lightings and chandeliers. The elevation design was another area that wowed the owners and moviegoers. The audiences are treated to the best treat served by the entire team who have dedicated their heart and soul to this project," added Anand Narain, Architect, Dezign and Construction Studio, Chennai. The seating has been procured from Pen Workers seating company providing the audience with best-in-class experience. It is not only the ambience and luxurious premises, but also the quality of staff, housekeeping and the quality of the food that is served.

"We had created two lobby spaces, one on the ground floor and the other on the first with luxurious alabaster lightings and chandeliers. The elevation design was another area that wowed the owners and moviegoers. The audiences are treated to the best treat served by the entire team who have dedicated their heart and soul to this project."

– N P Anand, Managing Director, Dezign and Construction Studio