South India's Largest Dolby Screen Opens in Bengaluru

A gleaming new nine-screen multiplex opened January 16 in Bengaluru's Gandhinagar district, replacing the legendary Kapali Theatre with cutting-edge movie magic. Families lined up at the box office of AMB Cinemas to experience South India's first Dolby Screen, signaling hope for a neighborhood that once thrived as the city's entertainment heart.

The new theater stands where Kapali Theatre enchanted audiences for nearly 60 years. That historic venue was one of India's first Cinerama screens and showcased countless blockbusters from beloved Kannada stars like Dr. Rajkumar and his son Shivarajkumar.

AMB Cinemas, a joint venture between Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu and Asian Cinemas, is treating the location's rich history with reverence. "My father was a good friend of Dr. Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan, and Ambareesh," said Bharath Narang of Asian Cinemas. "We want to revive the old memories of this iconic place, and AMB Cinemas is our gift to the people of Karnataka."

The marquee attraction is India's second-largest Dolby Screen with 586 seats, featuring dual laser projectors designed for supreme clarity. All nine screens include premium 7.1 Dolby Atmos sound systems.

The company is focusing on affordability and local flavor to win hearts. They're introducing Bengaluru's famous Donne Biryani at their in-house canteen, following the success of affordable quality food at their other locations. "With reasonable ticket prices, we want to offer seven-star service to the people," said managing director Sunil Narang.

The Ripple Effect

The theater's opening marks more than just a business venture. It's reviving a desolate area and creating jobs while preserving cinema heritage. AMB plans to launch another multiplex near Bengaluru's airport, showing confidence in Karnataka's movie-loving community.

The new venue commits to fair treatment for Kannada films alongside Telugu and other regional cinema. This matters because K.G. Road, once Kannada cinema's stronghold, has struggled to maintain its cultural identity as audience preferences evolved.

Young Kannada stars like the Shettys and Dhananjaya are already investing in local film production, inspired partly by renewed exhibition opportunities. The combination of modern infrastructure and fresh creative energy could spark a renaissance for Sandalwood.

Families walking into that gleaming lobby aren't just buying movie tickets—they're writing the next chapter of a beloved cultural landmark.