Metro Cinema
Encyclopedia
Metro BIG Cinema is an Art Deco
Heritage grade IIA multiplex Movie theater
in Mumbai
, India
built in 1938. It was built and originally run by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
(MGM), the Hollywood studio. The main architect of the cinema was Thomas W. Lamb
of New York
, and D. W. Ditchburn (Senior partner of the architectural firm Ditchburn Mistry and Bhedwar) of Mumbai was the associate architect.
cinema opened on 8 June 1938, and initially exhibited movies made by MGM. The interior, floors, walls, ceilings as well as the furniture, was in shades of red and pink. The marble foyer and staircases led up to murals executed by students of the J. J. School of Art, under the director Charles Gerard
. Among the famous invitees was Gregory Peck
. And if the films were classy, so was the audience at Metro. The ushers wore suits and the soda fountain provided excellent bar snacks and service. In 1955 Metro was the venue for the first Filmfare Awards
night.
In 1970, the cinema was taken over by the Gupta family and with Indianisation came the era of screening Hindi films and flashy, glittering, star-studded premieres. Raj Kapoor's Bobby set the trend and when RK released Satyam Shivam Sundaram
in typical monsoon fury, the guests were delighted when the young Kapoor brothers — Randhir
, Rishi
and Rajeev — opened their car doors, held umbrellas over their heads and led them inside.
It soon became Bollywood
's most famous red-carpet theatre. The star presence at Metro became so huge that most often riot police had to be called in at film premieres.
After a massive retrofitting job in August 2006, the cinema re-opened. Keeping with its famous red-carpet reputation, the cinema re-opened in its new avatar with the much anticipated Karan Johar Movie "Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna". The cinema now has six screens, which are among the largest multiplex screens in Mumbai. It has been renovated keeping its old heritage look. Today the cinema has restored it spacious and beautiful look, artistic murals, glittering chandeliers, rich drapery, and Italian marble flooring.
Chandeliers, columns, railings and glass paneling as also some of the art deco elements like the coves in the ceiling and the shades of red from the original design have been retained.
Mumbai's glitterati were obviously thrilled and thronged the first movie. "It was the grandest cinema of my younger days," says the would-be Actor Abhishek Bachchan
. "I experienced goose pimples whenever I approached the entrance. I was nervous before driving to the opening. I was thrilled that the hair on my skin still stood up as I entered again after all these years"
Other highlights are the specially designed seats and an ebony lounge with 30 reclining seats, small dining tables and hi-tech restrooms with LCDs showing trailers and movie trivia.
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
Heritage grade IIA multiplex Movie theater
Movie theater
A movie theater, cinema, movie house, picture theater, film theater is a venue, usually a building, for viewing motion pictures ....
in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
built in 1938. It was built and originally run by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is an American media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of films and television programs. MGM was founded in 1924 when the entertainment entrepreneur Marcus Loew gained control of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and Louis B. Mayer...
(MGM), the Hollywood studio. The main architect of the cinema was Thomas W. Lamb
Thomas W. Lamb
Thomas White Lamb was an American architect, born in Scotland. He is noted as one of the foremost designers of theaters and cinemas in the 20th century.-Career:...
of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and D. W. Ditchburn (Senior partner of the architectural firm Ditchburn Mistry and Bhedwar) of Mumbai was the associate architect.
History
Metro is located in the Dhobitalao area of Mumbai. The Art DecoArt Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
cinema opened on 8 June 1938, and initially exhibited movies made by MGM. The interior, floors, walls, ceilings as well as the furniture, was in shades of red and pink. The marble foyer and staircases led up to murals executed by students of the J. J. School of Art, under the director Charles Gerard
Charles Gerard
Charles Gerard may refer to:*Charles Gerard, 1st Earl of Macclesfield *Charles Gerard, 2nd Earl of Macclesfield...
. Among the famous invitees was Gregory Peck
Gregory Peck
Eldred Gregory Peck was an American actor.One of 20th Century Fox's most popular film stars from the 1940s to the 1960s, Peck continued to play important roles well into the 1980s. His notable performances include that of Atticus Finch in the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird, for which he won an...
. And if the films were classy, so was the audience at Metro. The ushers wore suits and the soda fountain provided excellent bar snacks and service. In 1955 Metro was the venue for the first Filmfare Awards
Filmfare Awards
The Filmfare Awards are presented annually by The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Hindi language film industry of India. The Filmfare ceremony is one of the oldest and most prominent film events given for Hindi films in India. The awards were...
night.
In 1970, the cinema was taken over by the Gupta family and with Indianisation came the era of screening Hindi films and flashy, glittering, star-studded premieres. Raj Kapoor's Bobby set the trend and when RK released Satyam Shivam Sundaram
Satyam Shivam Sundaram
Satyam Shivam Sundaram is an Indian film. Satyam means Truth, Shivam can refer to either Lord Shiva or Eternal and Sundaram means Beautiful.-Plot:...
in typical monsoon fury, the guests were delighted when the young Kapoor brothers — Randhir
Randhir Kapoor
Randhir Kapoor is a Bollywood actor, producer and director. His nickname is Daboo.-Early life:Randhir Kapoor hails from the legendary Kapoor family. He is the eldest son of Raj Kapoor. He is a fourth generation Kapoor and comes from a distinguished Punjabi Hindu family who have been part of the...
, Rishi
Rishi Kapoor
Rishi Kapoor is an Indian Bollywood actor, film producer and director.-Early life:Born in Chembur Mumbai, Kapoor is the second son of film director and star Raj Kapoor. He did his schooling with his brothers at Campion School,Mumbai. His brothers are well-known actors: Randhir Kapoor and Rajiv...
and Rajeev — opened their car doors, held umbrellas over their heads and led them inside.
It soon became Bollywood
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
's most famous red-carpet theatre. The star presence at Metro became so huge that most often riot police had to be called in at film premieres.
Transformation into multiplex
Despite such achievements, Metro could not stand up to the multiplex invasion, it was becoming difficult to fill up the 1,491 seats. The promoters decided to transform the old cinema into a multiplex, while also restoring its original art-deco interiors. The cinema was acquired by Adlabs Cinemas and in the start of 2005, the cinema closed down.After a massive retrofitting job in August 2006, the cinema re-opened. Keeping with its famous red-carpet reputation, the cinema re-opened in its new avatar with the much anticipated Karan Johar Movie "Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna". The cinema now has six screens, which are among the largest multiplex screens in Mumbai. It has been renovated keeping its old heritage look. Today the cinema has restored it spacious and beautiful look, artistic murals, glittering chandeliers, rich drapery, and Italian marble flooring.
Chandeliers, columns, railings and glass paneling as also some of the art deco elements like the coves in the ceiling and the shades of red from the original design have been retained.
Mumbai's glitterati were obviously thrilled and thronged the first movie. "It was the grandest cinema of my younger days," says the would-be Actor Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan is an Indian actor and producer. He is the son of Indian actors Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan and is married to actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai....
. "I experienced goose pimples whenever I approached the entrance. I was nervous before driving to the opening. I was thrilled that the hair on my skin still stood up as I entered again after all these years"
Other highlights are the specially designed seats and an ebony lounge with 30 reclining seats, small dining tables and hi-tech restrooms with LCDs showing trailers and movie trivia.