మిస్టర్ మాజీ మంత్రి.. బాబు గారి పేరెత్తితే నీకు వణుకు వస్తుంది | Somireddy About Perni Nani

S. Chandran, a towering presence in Kerala’s film exhibition and studio business, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 90, leaving behind a rich legacy deeply intertwined with the history of Malayalam cinema. He was the director of City Theatres and the son of legendary filmmaker P. Subramaniam, the founder of the iconic Merryland Studio in Thiruvananthapuram.

After his father’s demise, S. Chandran took charge of Merryland Studio and the management of several prominent cinema halls in the state capital. Notably, three theatres under his supervision are among the oldest surviving movie theatres in Thiruvananthapuram. Even as the film exhibition sector faced major challenges due to changing audience habits, declining footfalls, and the rise of OTT platforms, Chandran continued to run these theatres with remarkable perseverance and commitment to cinema.

Tributes have poured in from across the film fraternity. Veteran actor Kamal Haasan expressed deep sorrow over Chandran’s passing, highlighting their bond beyond professional association. In his condolence message, Kamal Haasan noted that while many of his films enjoyed long theatrical runs in Chandran’s cinemas, what truly connected them was a shared love for the arts. He described S. Chandran as a passionate admirer of art, with a special fondness for photography.

Several prominent personalities from the Malayalam film industry have also mourned his death, remembering S. Chandran as a dignified, art-loving individual who played a crucial role in preserving the theatrical culture of Kerala. His passing marks the end of an era for cinema exhibition in Thiruvananthapuram.