The pandemic has caused the closure of five well-known theatres in Hyderabad. A few of these were known for screening some of the biggest blockbusters over the decades.

A report says that Narayanaguda's Shanti Theater is going to be a godown, leaving its old-time fans hurt. Tolichowki's Galaxy Theater has gone out of existence and converted into some other business entity.

Sri Rama Theater at Bahadurpura, Sri Mayuri Theater at RTC X Roads, and Amba Theater at Mehdipatnam are no more going to tend to their cine patrons.

A complex issue:

Industry observers have suggested in the last few months that it would be naive to attribute the plight of the exhibition sector only to the lockdown. In the age of multiplexes and streaming, a number of theatres have been turning in depressed profits for years. Sooner or later, they would have to be converted for other uses.

Sops by government:

The Telangana government recently gave some sops to the ailing sector. Several theatres have come to see this as a welcome step.