Sreedhar Theatre in Kochi’s Menaka Junction has temporarily stopped film screenings, but its owners have denied reports that the long-running cinema is shutting permanently and said it will return after a major modernisation.
The theatre halted screenings on Monday to make way for renovation and improvements to visitor facilities. Owner Suresh Shenoy told Kerala Kaumudi that the objective is to upgrade the theatre with modern technology and provide better parking facilities. The final design and scope of the renovation have not yet been completed.
The proposed redevelopment may include more than one screen, although the owners have not announced a final plan or timeline. Shenoy said the renovated theatre would be designed in line with changing cinema technologies and would include additional facilities for visitors. More parking space is also planned for people arriving by vehicle.
Located on Shanmugham Road near Menaka Junction, Sreedhar has long been associated with English-language cinema in Ernakulam. Under a long-term agreement with Hollywood production company Columbia Pictures, major English films were released at the theatre alongside their Hollywood releases, according to the report.
The cinema became known for screenings of films including Titanic, Jurassic Park and The Godfather, drawing long queues in front of the theatre. Its continued presence through the growth of multiplexes and the spread of streaming platforms has made it one of Kochi’s better-known legacy cinemas.
Sreedhar began operations in 1964. It is owned by the Shenoy family, which also owns Padma and Shenoy’s theatres on M.G. Road. The theatre was named in memory of Sreedhar Shenoy, son of Lakshmanan Shenoy.
The cinema has undergone upgrades in the past and is known for its sound system and air-conditioning. Film personalities, including John Paul and Sreenivasan, were also regular visitors, the report said. The theatre remains popular among college students and younger audiences in the city.
The temporary suspension comes as older single-screen cinemas face pressure to compete with multiplexes, changing viewing habits and online streaming services. In Sreedhar’s case, however, the owners have said the current closure is part of an effort to retain the property by adapting its facilities rather than abandoning the theatre.
The owners are expected to finalise the renovation plan before work progresses. No reopening date has been announced, and details such as the number of screens, construction schedule and revised seating capacity remain pending.
