Inauguration
 
The first film of Nadigar Thilagam (who later on took possession of the Theatre), was Buddha Pictures Paavamannippu, released on 16.03.1961. A multi-star cast film which included Gemini Ganesan, Devika, Saavithiri, T.S. Balaiah, S.V. Subbiah, M.V. Rajamma and others. Music by Viswanathan-Ramamurthi, lyrics Kannadasan. The film was based on religious harmony and was an instant hit and became the first Tamil film to be screened for 25 weeks at an A/C Theatre.
Shanthi Theatre, First Airconditioned Theatre of Chennai, was inaugurated on 12.01.1961 by Shri K. Kamaraj, then Chief Minister of Madras State. A movie on Lord Venkateswara was screened during the inauguration.
The first Tamil film released at the Shanthi was Annapoorna Films Thooya Ullam, starring A. Nageswara Rao and Saavithri. It was followed by the popular film Kalpana in Hindi.

Nadigar Thilagam and Shanthi Theatre
82 films of Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan were screened at the Theatre, out of which 6 films celebrated Silver Jubilee run and 35 films were screened for more than 100 days. Besides Paavamannippu, Thiruvilaiyaadal, Vasantha Maaligai, Thanga Padhakkam, Thirisulam, Mudhal Mariyaadhai ran for 25 weeks. Thiruvilaiyaadal witnessed an elderly woman watching it 175 days and was honoured at the Silver Jubilee function. Vasantha Maaligai became an all time favourite among the fans. Thanga Padhakkam was a super hit and the character S.P. Chaudhry, became a role model for the police. Thirisulam was a remake of Shankar Guru in Kannada and saw more than 300 continuous houseful shows and was a Silver Jubilee Hit. It also marked the 50th film of Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan screened at the Shanthi Theatre. Mudhal Mariyaadhai proved that generation or age did not matter for the Genius and Nadigar Thilagam found favour with the newest generation of Technicians.
 
While 35 other films ran for 100 days and more, there were disappointments as well for the fans. Some films which deserved highest reception at Box Office, failed miserably. Notable among them was Pazhani. Thillaana Mohanambaal, deserved completion of its run for 25 weeks, which was screened for 132 days only. This caused disappointment to the fans. During various occasions, NT's films rushed one another and because of this even successful films at the Box Office were removed to give way for the next film. An example in this case is Thanga Surangam, which was running to packed houses.
 

Kalaignar Karunanidhi and Shanthi Theatre
Iruvar Ullam Vaaliba Virundhu Paalaivana Rojakkal
Some of the Films for which Kalaignar Karunanidhi has penned the story/ script/ dialogues and released at the Shanthi Theatre had been Super Hits. Iruvar Ullam, Vaaliba Virundhu, Paalaivana Rojakkal, to name a few.

Rajinikanth and Shanthi Theatre
For Super Star Rajnikanth, Shanthi Theatre plays an important role in his career. Mannan gave big break. But then it was CHANDRAMUKHI which created history by its screening for 888 days, longest for a Tamil film. And on the eve of the release of CHANDRAMUKHI, he inaugurated the renovated Shanthi Theatre, on 13.04.2005.
 

Ilaiya Thilagam Prabhu and Shanthi
Theatre
For Ilaiya Thilagam Prabhu, Shanthi Theatre among the landmark films are- his 100th film Raajakumaran. Then Chinna Thambi was a super hit film which was one of the highest grossers of Tamil cinema. It was a Silver Jubilee Hit. Then of course CHANDRAMUKHI. En Thangachi Padichava was another box office hit, besides SANDHIPPU, NEEDHIPADHI, etc. Details of Box Office Success Films and 100 Days/ 25 weeks in which he co-starred with Nadigar Thilagam, are also provided in the page for Nadigar Thilagam.
 

Kamal Hassan and Shanthi Theatre
   
For Kamal Hassan, his first film with Nadigar Thilagam, Paarthaal Pasi Theerum, was a super hit and is a classic. Other prominent films - Nool Veli, Kalaignan and Vetri Vizha, produced by Sivaji Productions were released at the Shanthi Theatre. Vetri Vizha saw Prabhu co-starring with Kamal Hassan. On 11.10.2006, Kamal Hassan opened the Sai Shaanthi Theatre.
 

Other Popular Films
Besides the above, many more films of other Stars met box office success and ran for 100 days or more. For Paandiyaraajan, Aan Paavam, for Sathyaraaj, Paalaivana Rojakkal (which also starred Prabhu), Pudhiya Vaanam, for Vijayakanth, Needhikku Dhandani, to name a few.
 

Films in other languages
In its history of 50 years, it has witnessed many popular movies with a long run, topping them all was Sivaji Productions' Chandramukhi, which ran for 888 days to outscore M.K.T. Bhagavathar starred Haridas. Notable among other language films were Raj Kapoor's SANGAM, which was a Silver Jubilee Hit. Films in other South Indian languages too found slots among which, Needaleni Aadathi (Telugu), Thacholi Ambu (Malayalam) to name a few.
 

Sai Shanthi
Shaanthi reached another milestone in the opening of Sai Shanthi on 11.10.2006 (screening commenced on 21.10.2006). Padmashri Kamal Hassan opened the theatre.