5 Art Deco Cinemas in India that you Must Visit for its Heritage!

If you don't know about Art Deco architecture, perhaps, you are missing out on something important and the chance to be part of this architectural majesty. This architecture is featured by its sleek, geometric patterns, bold colours, and luxurious materials. It stresses the symmetry and also incorporates motifs like chevrons, zigzags, and stylized sunbursts. 

Historically, it first emerged in the 1920s and 1930s and reportedly, India has seen the number of Art Deco structures going down to 5,000 from 24,000 out of which, only 1,000 or less have been operational. However, there are a few running theatres that are built in the Art Deco style that continue to exist to date and you must know about them. 

Regal, Mumbai

Regal was the first Art Deco cinema in the City of Dreams from where this new architectural movement started in 1933. It was designed by Charles Stevens, the son of Frederick William Stevens who designed the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) amongst many other landmarks while the interiors were done by Karl Schara. While it was the first air-conditioned cinema in Mumbai, it also was the first to have basement parking. As this single-screen cinema continues to run successfully in Mumbai, it also hosts various events and workshops related to movies. 

Phul Cinema, Patiala

Commissioned by the Maharaja of Patiala, it was built by the Guptas, a local family and was opened in 1947. While the family continued to run the single-screen cinema and owned the property till 2029 when its immaculate restoration was done, it is still being run as a single theatre. Designed by WM Namjoshi, who also designed multiple other art deco pieces like Golcha Cinema in Delhi, Kiran Cinema in Chandigarh and Maratha Mandir in Mumbai, this still serves as a local spot for art lovers.

Raj Mandir, Jaipur

The last cinema built by the Jaipur-based Golcha/Surana family was Raj Mandir which opened in 1976. Reportedly, it also proved to be the swansong of WM Namjoshi as his 34th cinema hall between 1938 and 1976. This art deco structure which has witnessed many premieres in the history of Hindi cinema also continues to be a maintained single-screen hall that shows newly-released films now.

PVR Sahu, Lucknow

PVR Sahu opened in 1932 as Plaza Talkies. Reportedly, it was opened by a Parsi gentleman called Todywalla while designed by Russi K Bana, who is the son of legendary architect Bejonji Khurshedji Bana of Merwanji Bana & Co, who carried out the work for buildings such as Rajjab Mahal and Court View near Mumbai's Oval Maidan. It was the Sahu family who purchased this in the 1970s while the late Vijay Kumar Sahu was also responsible for the restoration of the cinema hall in 2019. Later, it turned out to be a multiplex chain PVR and became PVR Sahu. 

Hind Talkies, Bareilly

The name Hind Talkies was inspired by the independence movement as it opened in 1947. It was designed by WM Namjoshi. While there is very little information available about this architectural building, it still runs with the new movies in the city.