Movie theaters in Chennai

Multiplex Chennai

Chennai city's obsession with movies and moviedom dates back several decades. Large movie cutouts, largest number of theaters and celebrity filmstars - all this is representative of the role that movies play in the life of people. Chennai also boasts of being the first Indian city to have a beach drive-in theater that provides wholesome entertainment to all the members of a family in a totally different atmosphere. Old movie theaters are fast being replaced with modern multiplexes.

Given below is a guide to movie theaters in Chennai city right from the old ones to the most modern ones.

Gaiety theater: One of the oldest surviving theaters in Chennai, it was initially used as a horse stable in the colonial period and then converted into a theater in the year 1919. The theater initially screened silent movies in English and Tamil. This theater has won the President's Award for being one of the oldest existing theaters in the city. The theater has been renovated and has a seating capacity of 696.

Sathyam Cinemas: Sathyam Cinemas provides moviegoers a complete entertainment experience. The complex houses five theaters on the whole and each one of them is a class apart. All the five theaters are supported with DTS and Dolby digital formats, the sound system for the theaters are imported and the JBL speakers are worth a mention. Of the five theaters Sathyam has the largest seating capacity of 1250 seats, Santham has 550 seats, and Subham has 375 seats.

Sathyam Cinemas offers 6 screens within its theater complex - Sathyam, Santham, Seasons, Serene, Studio 5 and Six Degrees. Sree Theater in this complex has a unique facility of two-seaters for couples in its upper box class. Studio-5 hash 150 seats capacity and screens exclusive movies that are screened in film festivals. The theater offers a huge area dedicated for refreshments and a bowling alley too. Other attractions at the Sathyam Theater Complex include:

ID: A modern yet contemporary quick service restaurant that offers South Indian tiffin treats. From piping hot pongal and vada curry to a range of dosas, movie goers can catch a tasty bite.

Blur: This is probably one of the country's largest gaming zones. Gaming enthusiasts can choose from PC to hand-helds like the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS Lite, to consoles like the Playstation2, Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, Xbox Kinect and Sony Playstation3. Bowling alley, arcade and dining space - an ideal hangout for a party.

Ecstacy: Another concept restaurant that is ideal for chocolate and dessert junkies. Crepes, tiramisu, chocolates and pastries - you can find them here.

The childcare lounge Magic Hat can be availed by parents who want to watch the movie or catch a meal.

Sathyam Cinemas has another presence in Express Avenue Mall in the form of Escape Cinemas. Blush, Weave, Spot, Streak, Plush, Frame, Carve and Kites are the various screens in this luxury multiplex. The wifi enabled area allows you to connect to the web. Touch-screen kioks help quick ticket booking. Choose from the snack counter or opt for classy dining in. The gaming center here offers Playstation and XBox options. Sink into cool icecreams or soothen your nerves with a spa massage. Tickets can be booked at http://www.spicinemas.in/. Sathyam Cinemas have opened new branches in Thiruvanmiyur S2 Theyagaraja and Perambur S2 Perambur.

Prarthana beach drive-in theater complex: Acclaimed to be India's first beach drive-in theater, Prarthana Theater is a movie theater with a difference. The theater has a restaurant and children play area and a giant screen. The ramp is designed to hold 160 cars and anybody sitting in the back seat can view the movie clearly. The complex also has a small air-conditioned theater that has a seating capacity of 350 seats. Five reservation counters are available across the city and two shows are screened everyday at 1900 and 2300hrs.

Mayajaal

A project developed by Pentamedia group, Mayajaal has 100,000sqft of total fun and frolic. The complex is centrally air-conditioned and has a 300-car parking facility. The complex has a variety of entertainment options to offer for people of all ages under one roof. The theater complex is India's first 6-theater Cineplex, with modern seating facilities. DTS sound systems are available in all the theaters. You can even get to see movies that find place in film festivals, in addition to run of the mill flicks. Hardly available in any other multiplex, this multiplex has a crèche for babies and professionally qualified nannies are available to take care of them.

PVR Cinemas

Located within the Ampa Skywalk Mall, PVR Cinemas offer plush extra-wide seats. Book online or through touch-screen kiosks at the cinema complex. Located on the top floor of the Ampa Skywalk Mall, you can make use of the multi-level parking system.

Ega Theater

The theater complex at Ega has been a fixture on Poonamalee High Road for many decades. You can book your tickets online at www.egacinemas.com/.

Abirami Mega Mall

First cinema complex in India to go digital, Abirami complex houses four theaters in all. The themes of the theater are Spanish Opera House, Space Ship, Chinese and Egyptian. The complex is also equipped with a play area for kids and shopping mall. There are a number of restaurants that offer a variety of cuisines for the moviegoers.