Iconic cinema screening Tamil and Hindi movies at its three halls
By Tan Dawn Wei 20 September 2009
The kacang putih has made way for popcorn, and if you feel like splurging, you can even watch a movie in the Gold Class box.
But no betel-nut chewing in the new swanky theatre please.
It says so on a sign in the Rex Cinemas’ lobby.
In the past week, the iconic theatre in Mackenzie Road has quietly reopened to screen two Tamil films and a Hindi one in its three halls.
Those who have noticed its return have wasted no time in checking it out.
Attendance has been a healthy 70 per cent on average, said Mr. Senthil Kumaran, 26, director of KPI Cinemas which runs the theatre.
He expects patronage to pick up once it officially opens on Oct 10 with Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as guest of honour.
‘For Indians, there aren’t enough entertainment options in Singapore,’ said Mr. Senthil.
He and his father, Mr. Narayanasamy Muthu, 62, own local film distributor Mega Movies and Kamala Jewellers in Serangoon Road.
Together with a partner, who runs a film distributing and exhibiting company with more than 10 cinemas in Malaysia, they have pumped more than $1.5 million into renting and refurbishing the 63-year-old building.
‘It was a mess, like a jungle,’ said Mr. Senthil about the state of the building when he took over earlier this year.
Owned by the Singapore Land Authority, it has been rented out to a master tenant, Hartawan Holdings, which in turn sublet it to KPI Cinemas. The premises had been vacant for two years after an Indian nightclub, Amaran, moved out.
The father and son have spent the past five months on a makeover which included gutting everything.
The main hall can seat up to 750 people while two smaller ones upstairs can accommodate 120 each.
There are also box seats in each theatre which come with plush leather chairs that can recline.
The Rex theatre began in 1946 under Shaw Theatres, screening films of all languages. It closed down in 1983 after business dipped.
In 1990, Amcol Holdings paid $19.2 million for the building, but it was acquired by the Government five years later, supposedly to make way for the North-East MRT line.
Since then, it had been home to the Foochow Methodist Church, skating rink Fuji Ice Palace and disco TJ Live House@The Rex.
Mr. Narayanasamy said the cinema will screen Tamil and Hindi films to cater to those who frequent nearby Little India. But he does not rule out showing English, Malay or Mandarin movies.
Tickets cost $10 each while the VIP boxes, which can seat six, cost $300 and come with free popcorn and drinks.
Before Rex reopened, patrons of Tamil and Hindi films had only three venues to choose from - GV Yishun, Golden Theatre in Golden Mile Tower and Jade cinema in Beach Road.
Ticket prices are also $10 on average.
Library officer Yogesvari G., 34, who frequents GV Yishun but decided to check out Rex last week, is glad to have the additional choices.
‘The seats are nice and comfortable but I hope they maintain the cleanliness of the theatre,’ she said.
Operators of the other cinemas are unfazed by the newcomer.
‘There will definitely be some impact but it depends on the choice of movies. People might want to watch one at GV Yishun, and another at Rex,’ said Mr. Mahendra Mariappan, 39, director of Ayngaran International, which runs four halls showing Tamil films - two at GV Yishun and two at Golden Theatre.
Mr. Ramesh Nagrani, 50, who operates two screens at Jade showing Hindi films, said the competition comes more from home video and television channels.
‘It doesn’t matter. Let the audience decide what they want to do,’ he said.
2 comments:
Rex is back
Iconic cinema screening Tamil and Hindi movies at its three halls
By Tan Dawn Wei
20 September 2009
The kacang putih has made way for popcorn, and if you feel like splurging, you can even watch a movie in the Gold Class box.
But no betel-nut chewing in the new swanky theatre please.
It says so on a sign in the Rex Cinemas’ lobby.
In the past week, the iconic theatre in Mackenzie Road has quietly reopened to screen two Tamil films and a Hindi one in its three halls.
Those who have noticed its return have wasted no time in checking it out.
Attendance has been a healthy 70 per cent on average, said Mr. Senthil Kumaran, 26, director of KPI Cinemas which runs the theatre.
He expects patronage to pick up once it officially opens on Oct 10 with Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as guest of honour.
‘For Indians, there aren’t enough entertainment options in Singapore,’ said Mr. Senthil.
He and his father, Mr. Narayanasamy Muthu, 62, own local film distributor Mega Movies and Kamala Jewellers in Serangoon Road.
Together with a partner, who runs a film distributing and exhibiting company with more than 10 cinemas in Malaysia, they have pumped more than $1.5 million into renting and refurbishing the 63-year-old building.
‘It was a mess, like a jungle,’ said Mr. Senthil about the state of the building when he took over earlier this year.
Owned by the Singapore Land Authority, it has been rented out to a master tenant, Hartawan Holdings, which in turn sublet it to KPI Cinemas. The premises had been vacant for two years after an Indian nightclub, Amaran, moved out.
The father and son have spent the past five months on a makeover which included gutting everything.
The main hall can seat up to 750 people while two smaller ones upstairs can accommodate 120 each.
There are also box seats in each theatre which come with plush leather chairs that can recline.
The Rex theatre began in 1946 under Shaw Theatres, screening films of all languages. It closed down in 1983 after business dipped.
In 1990, Amcol Holdings paid $19.2 million for the building, but it was acquired by the Government five years later, supposedly to make way for the North-East MRT line.
Since then, it had been home to the Foochow Methodist Church, skating rink Fuji Ice Palace and disco TJ Live House@The Rex.
Mr. Narayanasamy said the cinema will screen Tamil and Hindi films to cater to those who frequent nearby Little India. But he does not rule out showing English, Malay or Mandarin movies.
Tickets cost $10 each while the VIP boxes, which can seat six, cost $300 and come with free popcorn and drinks.
Before Rex reopened, patrons of Tamil and Hindi films had only three venues to choose from - GV Yishun, Golden Theatre in Golden Mile Tower and Jade cinema in Beach Road.
Ticket prices are also $10 on average.
Library officer Yogesvari G., 34, who frequents GV Yishun but decided to check out Rex last week, is glad to have the additional choices.
‘The seats are nice and comfortable but I hope they maintain the cleanliness of the theatre,’ she said.
Operators of the other cinemas are unfazed by the newcomer.
‘There will definitely be some impact but it depends on the choice of movies. People might want to watch one at GV Yishun, and another at Rex,’ said Mr. Mahendra Mariappan, 39, director of Ayngaran International, which runs four halls showing Tamil films - two at GV Yishun and two at Golden Theatre.
Mr. Ramesh Nagrani, 50, who operates two screens at Jade showing Hindi films, said the competition comes more from home video and television channels.
‘It doesn’t matter. Let the audience decide what they want to do,’ he said.
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