Why not visit some of India’s oldest theatres for an awe-inducing retro experience? In the 20th century, when India was mushrooming films here and there, we had cinema halls with intriguing Art Deco interiors, sprawling hall and balcony with smashing seating arrangements, stunning showcases with shining awards and many more! From Eros Cinema to PVR Rivoli, we’ve some old theatres that have stood the test of time. If you’re an old school cinephile, this article will undoubtedly thrill you to the brim.
Eros Cinema (Mumbai)
Eros Cinema, nestled across the Churchgate in Mumbai, has recently lifted up the construction drape after seven long years. This iconic theatre, built back in 1938, stands out for its Art Deco architecture with seating arrangements for around 1,204 people. Inside the building swathed in cream colour, there are murals, walls coated with clouds pattern, proscenium arch with intriguing sculpture and many more that will make your eyes pop out in awe. Eros 2.0 has sneaked up with renovation while maintaining the historic grandeur of the structure.
Plaza Cinema (Mumbai)
Before the sprouting of multiplexes, we had single screen cinema halls. Plaza Cinema located in Dadar of Mumbai is a single screen cinema that’s still open. This classic theatre had once busied itself with hundreds of people and successfully lifted movies to become box-office smashes. Plaza Cinema, established in 1935, was a nurturing abode of both Marathi and Hindi films. The theatre had to shut down for three years after the bomb blast that happened in 1993.
Poorna Theatre (Vizag)
Poorna Theatre is the oldest South Indian cinema hall that’s still screening. This iconic theatre was once a lively theatre where silent movies like Gajendra Moksham and Nandanar were shown. Later in 1935, the theatre was revamped to premiere the classic hit, Laila Majnu. Poorna Theatre was initially called Sri Krishna Touring Talkies. If you’re a South Indian movie buff, you should definitely give it a shot.
PVR Rivoli (Delhi)
PVR Rivoli (1934) is the smallest theatre that can flourish the old soul in you with a retro vibe. Just like all other restored and revamped theatres, Rivoli has undergone many changes to comfort modern audiences. Technology has been updated with the latest sounding system, and there’s a big screen along with the hall filled with modern seats. Despite all the renovations, it’s still a single screen cinema hall where old school cinephiles keep revisiting.
