Injambakkam's Prarthana Drive-in Theatre Remembered for Iconic 30-Year Run

Prarthana Theatre, Chennai's iconic drive-in theatre situated on a 15-acre site in Injambakkam along East Coast Road, continues to be remembered by long-time residents and film enthusiasts following its closure in 2021.

The beachside complex opened on May 10, 1991, founded by N. Devanathan. Built around a massive concrete screen measuring 100 feet by 60 feet, the open-air venue could accommodate nearly 175 cars. In the 1990s, visitors were charged ₹30 per person and ₹5 per vehicle to watch films under the night sky.

At a time when Chennai offered fewer entertainment options, Prarthana became a prominent recreational hub for families and large groups. The venue ran two daily shows at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Patrons frequently drove from central neighbourhoods such as Adyar and Alwarpet, taking advantage of the then-sparsely populated East Coast Road.

Beyond watching from inside parked vehicles, moviegoers often brought chairs or spread carpets on the ground. The facility was designed to ensure clear acoustic quality without echo, allowing audiences to clearly hear film audio despite the open surroundings.

Alongside the drive-in space, the complex housed two seating galleries accommodating 614 people, a restaurant, a children's play area, and an indoor theatre named Aradhana. Equipped with DTS sound, the 331-seat Aradhana theatre primarily screened Hindi films, while the main open-air screen showcased Tamil releases, including hits such as Jeans, Minnale, and Indian, alongside numerous Rajinikanth starrers.

The theatre ceased operations in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, after which the property made way for real estate development, ending three decades of open-air cinema on the city's coastline.