Albert Theatre: the fading of Rajini’s fortress in Madras

The lights were out, a torn, old poster of a film fluttered in the wind, and on the pavement, a woman constable was fidgeting with her mobile phone. This wasn’t just another regular Thursday night, it was a special night lit up by the luminescence that Rajinikanth exudes when his film hits the theatres.

Yet, Albert theatre complex remained eerily silent. The gates were shut. Outside, the odd long-distance bus to southern Tamil Nadu, whizzed past. While the rest of Chennai and Tamil Nadu were agog with the excitement swirling around Jailer 2, a particular corner in Egmore had a funereal air.