Theatres didn't close due to digitisation: T. Subramanyam

Chennai, Dec 30 (IANS) It is not because of digitisation that theatres in Tamil Nadu have shut over the years, says Tirupur Subramanyam, president of Coimbatore region theatre owners association.

Tamil Nadu's theatre owners association had asked actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan not to release his new film "Vishwaroopam" on Direct-to-Home (DTH) platform as it would set a precedent, leading to closure of theatres.

However, Subramanyam disagrees.

"There were about 2,600 theatres in Tamil Nadu few years ago and today there are only 1,300 of them. These theatres have shut down because they resisted change. While some theatres were shut down due to the entry of multiplexes, the rest had to close down due to bad maintenance," Subramanyam told IANS.

"Most single-screen theatres were quick to anticipate the entry of multiplexes and got themselves converted into smaller multiple screens. Some theatres resisted this change and therefore had to shut shop," he added.

Asked what he thinks would be other reasons, Subramanyam said: "Digital projection took most theatres by surprise and since many weren't open to changing technology, most of them had to close down."

Subramanyam was one of the first in the industry to welcome Haasan's idea to release "Vishwaroopam" on DTH.

"I convinced all theatres in my region to support Kamal sir in his endeavour since we believe his move is sure going to revolutionise cinema viewing experience", said Subramanyam.