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Iconic Single Screen Theaters of India

New Delhi. Cinema in India is not just a means of entertainment but a deep emotional experience. Decades ago, watching a movie was no less than a festival and single screen theaters were an integral part of the experience. In recent years, multiplex culture has increasingly taken over, leading to a decline in the number of single screen theatres. Veteran personalities like Aamir Khan and Javed Akhtar have expressed concerns regarding this change. Nevertheless, even today there are some iconic single screen theaters in India, which retain their glory and identity.

Raj Mandir, Jaipur

Raj Mandir located in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan tops the list of single screen theatres. Established in 1976, this theater looks no less than a royal palace. Its grand architecture, huge chandeliers and intricate carvings on the walls make it special. The Raj Mandir is also considered the Pride of Asia and watching a movie here is still a royal experience.

Maratha Temple, Mumbai

Maratha Temple in Mumbai is an important part of the history of Indian cinema. This theater is recorded in the Guinness World Records, because Shahrukh Khan’s film ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ has been shown here continuously for the last three decades. The tickets for the afternoon show here are also very affordable, due to which there remains a crowd of spectators.

Regal Cinema, Delhi

Regal Cinema, located in Connaught Place, Delhi, is an old theater in the capital. Established in 1932, Raj Kapoor premiered many of his films here. Many prominent leaders including India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru used to come here to watch movies. It is considered to be the first single screen theater of Delhi.

Delight Cinema, Delhi

Delight Cinema, located near Delhi Gate, is known for its vintage look and great ambiance. Its interior and artwork still remind of old times. The sound system and seating arrangement here is still more impressive than many modern theatres.

Liberty Cinema, Mumbai

Mumbai’s Liberty Cinema is a glorious chapter of Indian cinema. It was built in 1947, hence it was named ‘Liberty’. Historical films like Mughal-e-Azam ran here for a long time.

Metro Cinema, Kolkata

Kolkata’s Metro Cinema was built in 1935 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Its grand staircase and period furniture transport visitors to the past. It is considered one of the most prestigious theaters of Kolkata.

Everest Talkies, Bengaluru

Everest Talkies, located in Fraser Town, Bengaluru, is about 80 years old. The cheap tickets and traditional atmosphere here continue to make it a favorite among the general public even today.

These single screen theaters are not just buildings, but living heritage of Indian cinema, which is still welcoming the audiences with its old magic.