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Entertainment
Bengaluru's 55-Year-Old Urvashi Cinema to Be Demolished After Supreme Court Order
✍️ Asianet Newsable
🗓 26 Aug 2026, 01:58 PM
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The iconic single‑screen Urvashi Cinema in Bengaluru is set for demolition after a Supreme Court ruling that ended a long‑running lease dispute. The theatre, opened by legendary actor Dr Rajkumar, had shown thousands of films over its five‑decade history.
The Supreme Court of India has issued an order to demolish the Urvashi Cinema, a single‑screen theatre that has been a landmark of Bengaluru for 55 years. The ruling follows a protracted legal battle over the lease of the property, which the court found to be in breach of the terms agreed upon by the owners and the municipal corporation.
Urvashi Cinema, located on the bustling streets of Bengaluru, was inaugurated by the legendary Kannada actor Dr Rajkumar in the early 1970s. Over the decades, the theatre screened more than 10,000 films, becoming a cultural hub for cinema lovers in the city.
The lease dispute began when the theatre’s management failed to renew the lease on time, leading to a conflict with the city authorities. After years of negotiations and court proceedings, the Supreme Court’s decision to demolish the building was deemed the only viable solution to resolve the legal impasse.
Demolition is scheduled to commence next month, with the city council overseeing the process to ensure safety and compliance with environmental regulations. The closure marks the end of an era for Bengaluru’s film‑going community, as the historic auditorium is replaced by a modern development.
Urvashi Cinema, located on the bustling streets of Bengaluru, was inaugurated by the legendary Kannada actor Dr Rajkumar in the early 1970s. Over the decades, the theatre screened more than 10,000 films, becoming a cultural hub for cinema lovers in the city.
The lease dispute began when the theatre’s management failed to renew the lease on time, leading to a conflict with the city authorities. After years of negotiations and court proceedings, the Supreme Court’s decision to demolish the building was deemed the only viable solution to resolve the legal impasse.
Demolition is scheduled to commence next month, with the city council overseeing the process to ensure safety and compliance with environmental regulations. The closure marks the end of an era for Bengaluru’s film‑going community, as the historic auditorium is replaced by a modern development.