Goodbye single-screen theatres

Interestingly, even before the multiplexes have started functioning several theatres in downtown Bangalore seem to have shut shop. Imperial, Opera, Blumoon and Bludiamond went down in the first wave of commercialization that hit Bangalore in the early-90s. Galaxy, which used to be the poshest of theatres once upon a time, has been shut for a couple of years now. Lido shut shop recently. Only a rickety Plaza, Symphony and Rex continue to stand. The Shanti theatre near South End Circle has also disappeared. I feel there remains a definite appeal for single screen theatres with large screens but these theatres need to reinvent themselves and provide a better ambience for movie-goers.