Metro INOX Cinemas[1] (formerly Metro Big Cinema (2008–2016), Metro Adlabs (2006–2008) and Metro Cinema (1938–2006)) is an Art DecoHeritage grade IIA multiplex Movie theatre in Mumbai, India built in 1938.[2] It was built and originally run by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). The main architect of the cinema was Thomas W. Lamb of New York City, and D. W. Ditchburn (Senior partner of the architectural firm Ditchburn Mistry and Bhedwar) of Mumbai was the associate architect.[3] It was one of the main sites targeted in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Metro INOX Cinemas
North side of the main entrance of Metro INOX Cinemas in Oct 2019
Metro is located in the Dhobitalao area of Mumbai.[2] The Art Deco cinema opened on 5 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. Patrons were serviced by liveried ushers in the marble foyer and staircases, which led up to murals by students of the J. J. School of Art, under Charles Gerard. In 1955 Metro was the venue for the first Filmfare Awards night.[4]
In 1970, the cinema was taken over by the Gupta family and with Indianisation came the era of screening Hindi films.
It soon became Bollywood's most famous red-carpet theatre. The Indian star presence at Metro became so prominent that riot police were often called in at film premieres.
Transformation into multiplex
Metro, c. 2012
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.
The cinema re-opened after renovation in August 2006, screening the Karan Johar film “Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna”. The cinema now has six screens, which are among the largest multiplex screens in Mumbai.[5]
References
^"BRIEF-Inox Leisure starts commercial ops at Mumbai's Metro House cinema theatre". Reuters. 8 November 2016.
^ abMeenakshi Shedde (13 July 2003). . The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 September 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
^Architecture + design, Volume 8. Media Transasia. 1991. p. 261.
^. The Times of India. 25 February 2005. Archived from the original on 19 December 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
^The math doesn't add up for Mumbai's Art Deco cinemas. Livemint (19 May 2009). Retrieved on 2013-08-17.
metro, inox, cinemas, formerly, metro, cinema, 2008, 2016, metro, adlabs, 2006, 2008, metro, cinema, 1938, 2006, deco, heritage, grade, multiplex, movie, theatre, mumbai, india, built, 1938, built, originally, metro, goldwyn, mayer, main, architect, cinema, th. Metro INOX Cinemas 1 formerly Metro Big Cinema 2008 2016 Metro Adlabs 2006 2008 and Metro Cinema 1938 2006 is an Art Deco Heritage grade IIA multiplex Movie theatre in Mumbai India built in 1938 2 It was built and originally run by Metro Goldwyn Mayer MGM The main architect of the cinema was Thomas W Lamb of New York City and D W Ditchburn Senior partner of the architectural firm Ditchburn Mistry and Bhedwar of Mumbai was the associate architect 3 It was one of the main sites targeted in the 2008 Mumbai attacks Metro INOX CinemasNorth side of the main entrance of Metro INOX Cinemas in Oct 2019Former names Metro Cinema 1938 2006 Metro Adlabs 2006 2008 Metro Big Cinemas 2008 2016 LocationMahatma Gandhi Rd Dhobitalao Marine Lines MumbaiOperatorINOX Leisure LimitedTypeCinema FilmConstructionOpened5 June 1938Renovated2006ArchitectThomas W Lamb Contents 1 History 2 Transformation into multiplex 3 References 4 External linksHistory Edit Metro Cinema c 2005 Metro is located in the Dhobitalao area of Mumbai 2 The Art Deco cinema opened on 5 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 Patrons were serviced by liveried ushers in the marble foyer and staircases which led up to murals by students of the J J School of Art under Charles Gerard In 1955 Metro was the venue for the first Filmfare Awards night 4 In 1970 the cinema was taken over by the Gupta family and with Indianisation came the era of screening Hindi films It soon became Bollywood s most famous red carpet theatre The Indian star presence at Metro became so prominent that riot police were often called in at film premieres Transformation into multiplex Edit Metro c 2012 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 The cinema re opened after renovation in August 2006 screening the Karan Johar film Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna The cinema now has six screens which are among the largest multiplex screens in Mumbai 5 References Edit BRIEF Inox Leisure starts commercial ops at Mumbai s Metro House cinema theatre Reuters 8 November 2016 a b Meenakshi Shedde 13 July 2003 Metro cinema prepares to go the multiplex way The Times of India Archived from the original on 11 September 2011 Retrieved 28 January 2011 Architecture design Volume 8 Media Transasia 1991 p 261 50 years of dreams disappointments The Times of India 25 February 2005 Archived from the original on 19 December 2011 Retrieved 12 April 2011 The math doesn t add up for Mumbai s Art Deco cinemas Livemint 19 May 2009 Retrieved on 2013 08 17 External links EditAt Metro Cinema junction no more darting through trafficCoordinates 18 56 34 6 N 72 49 43 67 E 18 942944 N 72 8287972 E 18 942944 72 8287972 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Metro INOX Cinemas amp oldid 1089000640, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
