The Supreme Court has issued notice in a Special Leave Petition filed by M/s Sreenivasa Enterprises, which runs the historic Urvashi Theatre in Bengaluru, challenging the Karnataka High Court judgement directing eviction, demolition of the theatre premises, and enhanced payment of mesne profits.
The Bench of Justice Prashant Mishra and Justice N.V. Anjaria has extended the time granted to the petitioners to hand over vacant possession till the next date of hearing, and directed them to deposit of 50% of the mesne profits as directed by the High Court, to be paid within six weeks.
The petitions arise from an October 2025 judgment of the Karnataka High Court, which directed the management of Urvashi Theatre to vacate the premises by February 15, 2026, advancing the August 2026 deadline earlier granted by the trial court. The High Court also directed the tenants to commence demolition of the theatre building by mid-October 2025 to ensure the timely handover of vacant possession. In addition, the Court enhanced the mesne profits payable to ₹20 lakh per month for the entire property, with effect from April 24, 2018, until surrender of possession.
News of the impending closure and demolition of Urvashi Theatre, one of Bengaluru’s last surviving single-screen cinemas, had evoked widespread public nostalgia. Opened in the 1970s, the theatre has long been regarded as a cultural landmark and fondly remembered by generations of moviegoers as a “temple of cinema”.
The Supreme Court has issued notice in the SLPs and listed the matter for further hearing on March 16, 2026. The respondents were directed to file their counter-affidavits within four weeks, with rejoinders to follow thereafter.
Appearances
Petitioners- Mr. Neeraj Kishan Kaul, Sr. Adv. Mr. Vikram Hegde, AOR Ms. Chinmayi Shrivastava, Adv. Ms. Ira Mahajan, Adv. Varad S Kohli, Adv. Kumar Saumitr, Adv. Udit Sharma, Adv.
Respondents- Mr. P.P. Hegde, Sr. Adv. Mr. Amit Pai, AOR Ms. Pankhuri Bhardwaj, Adv. Ms. Bhavana Duhoon, Adv.
