Regal Cinema

For the American movie theatre chain, see Regal Entertainment Group.
Regal Cinema

Regal Cinema in 1935
General information
Architectural style Art deco
Town or city Mumbai
Country India
Completed 1933
Design and construction
Architect Charles Stevens
Regal Cinema, c.2012

The Regal Cinema is an Art deco Movie theatre located at Colaba Causeway, in Mumbai, India.[1] Built by Framji Sidhwa, the first film to be aired at the Regal was the Laurel and Hardy work The Devil's Brother in 1933.[2]

As per the Limca Book of Records it is the first air conditioned theatre of India.[3]

History

The Regal Cinema was built during the cinema boom of the 1930s during which Plaza Central, New Empire, Broadway, Eros and Metro all opened in Mumbai. Opened in 1933, Regal was designed by Charles Stevens, the son of the famous 19th century architect, F. W. Stevens. Its interiors with extensive mirror-work were designed by the Czech artist Karl Schara. The main auditorium had a motif of sunrays in pale orange and jade green. Its interiors were designed to create an impression of airiness, coolness and size in harmony with the modern simplicity of the exteriors. The Regal was built completely in reinforced concrete cement (RCC), fully air conditioned, and had an underground parking lot for patrons. The elevator up from the parking area was a major innovation at the time.

The cinema was the third venue to host the Filmfare Awards night.[4] Today, it is a multi-use building combining a cinema with shops at street level.

The Regal Cinema was the lead theatre hosting the 17th Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI), held in 2015, starting from Friday, October 29, 2015.

References

  1. ↑ "Salaam Bombay". Times of Malta. 30 November 2008. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
  2. ↑ "The Regal theatre's grandeur, intact & vibrant". The Economic Times. 28 November 2009. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
  3. ↑ "First air conditioned theatre". Limca Book of Records. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  4. ↑ "50 years of dreams, disappointments". Times of India. 25 February 2005. Retrieved 12 April 2011.

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