Regal Cinema

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

For other uses, see Regal Cinema (disambiguation).

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. 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.

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

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. Today, it is a multi-use building combining a cinema with shops at street level.

REGAL Cinema will be the lead Theatre in hosting the 17th. 2015. Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) starting from friday, October 29, 2015.

External links

• Legends of the causeway - Regal cinema