JOIN USThis theatre got its name from Shantharam
How can one forget the all time hit Salman- Madhuri Dixit starrer Hindi film Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (HAHK) that set the trend in the early 90’s? A musical, the movie also created box-office record at that time. In Mysore, a theatre too had set the record screening it for 25 weeks.
Rajkamal theatre at Shivarampet in the heart of the city is that theatre which was the stop for most cine goers then to watch-HAHK. Similarly, it has the credit of screening most hits irrespective of languages.
The history of the theatre dates back to pre-independence era with its founder Gowdara Kalappa Dharmappa Burmaiah popular as GKD Burmaiah setting it up on June 19, 1946. Already a known name in hardware business in the then Mysore State, Burmaiah opted to venture out of his family business and thus began Rajkamal.
Old timers especially those connected to the show business may be familiar with –Rajkamal Kalamandir. It was the banner of renowned film maker of India V Shantaram. Burmaiah sought the prerequisite permission from Shantaram to name his theatre after Rajkamal and also to use the logo- a woman showering flowers. Shantaram obliged and the theatre got its name.
Mention must be made of a drama company- Ratnavali Theatre which was regularly camping at a dedicated place behind the theatre earlier. Dr Rajkumar was one among the drama artistes then associated with the drama company. It was how Burmaiah developed a rapport with Rajkumar who later carved a niche of his own becoming the matinee idol of Kannada film industry.
Those were the days of non-Kannada films, with Kannada films rarely being produced. However, it was only from 1956 onwards, the industry gained momentum. Jedara Bale, a first ever desi version of bond movie featuring Rajkumar in the lead role was successfully screened at Rajkamal.
Speaking to City Herald, G N Jeevan Kumar grandson of Burmaiah, who holds the reins of the theatre now recalls the mad rush of Raj’s fans who had assembled in front of the theatre for the first show of Jedara Bale. For some reason the box arrived late by two hours, but the fans waited with great patience to watch their screen god in action.
Raj’s other hits like Bhoopati Ranga, Swayamvara, Mannina Maga, Mayor Muththanna, Bhagyada Bagilu are among several other movies exhibited here.
Among the recent, Ram Charan Teja starrer- Magadheera saw successful run.
Jeevan who has a penchant for upgrading sound system at the theatre with every new in the technology, claims to be the first in Mysore to upgrade the theatre with digital theatre sound (DTS) system in 1994. Since then the sound system has undergone many changes.
It also has a temple inside, with the huge paper pulp made idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari placed in the corner. Many do not know it was the idol given by the distributors then to promote a movie- Mahishasura mardini.
Since then, it has become a part of the theatre with regularly offering pooja to the deity.
One particular incident that still remains afresh in the memory of Jeevan is, the women who were possessed by divine force during the screening of Adi Parashakti a Telugu movie. The staff then had to bring out those women and offer coconut to calm them.
Jeevan says, his theatre also vouches for security of the cine lovers with 23 close circuit TV cameras installed on the premises. He claims to have taken security measures much before the office of police commissioner made it mandatory for theatres too.