 Regal is one of the few old-style theatres still standing and functioning in all its glory. The cinema hall is a stone’s throw from the grand Gateway of India. It was one of the several noteworthy cinema theatres of Mumbai that were a direct outcome of the big cinema boom of the 1930s. Other theatres of this generation were Plaza Central, New Empire, Broadway, Eros and Metro.
The advent of the twentieth century saw the gradual shift from the previously favoured Neo-Gothic trend in architecture. Though some buildings still continued to conform to the Victorian and Indo-saracenic styles, a new architectural, form that was more with the times and definitely more practical, came into being. This was called the ‘Art Deco’ form and was heavily influenced by the popular style of design and decoration in the US and Europe in the 1920s and 1930s. The hallmarks of this style were geometric designs and the use of highly intense colours to reflect the rise of commerce and industrialisation in general.
The cinema hall was built on the land that was earlier occupied by an old, saluting battery. The land was leased to K. A. Kooka and F. H. Sidhwa of Globe Theatres, who also owned the Capitol Cinema near Victoria Terminus. The cinema hall was designed by Charles Stevens, son of the famous 19th century architect, F. W. Stevens and was executed completely in reinforced concrete cement (RCC).
Czech artist Karl Schara designed the interiors of the building and used magnificent mirror work in the lobbies. Even the main auditorium was beautifully styled with a motif of sun rays in pale orange and jade green. Shades of pink and red dominated the interior with the floors, walls, ceilings as well as the furniture in similar colours. The students of the J. J. School of Arts, under their director, Charles Gerard, executed the murals at the theatre.
The building was designed as a multi-use building, combining a theatre with shops at street level. Its outer façade occupied the entire site and created a feeling of continuity with the street edge which ran round the corner. The façade had towers and stepped rectangular slabs, similar to the gables, turrets and domes of other remarkable buildings of that time.
The hall was built and stylised in perfect accordance with the demands of the comfort-conscious, elite urban folk. Seating was provided in stalls and balcony sections, and some also in the box above. Lounge suits with European hats were a part of the official attire, especially for patrons sitting in the balcony and in the box. An usher would take the hats and coats and place them neatly on hangers, till the patron returned to take them back.
The hall was fully air conditioned, and had an underground parking lot for patrons. A lift from the parking lot to the hall upstairs was a major innovation of that time. One would find big cars like the Buick, Cadillac, Desoto, Chevy Impala lined up. The chauffeurs of these cars were immaculately dressed in well ironed shirts, ties and caps.
The cinema hall was inaugurated by the Governor of Bombay in 1933 and has screened several Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters for the enthusiastic cinema-goers in Mumbai since then. In recent years, the onslaught of the multiplex era may have dented the coffers a wee bit, but loyal patrons continue to frequent the theatre, taking away the reminiscences of the charming old world along with the memories of the movie.
Ruchika Batra
Address
Regal Cinema, Opposite S. P. Mukherji Chowk, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001
Tel: 2202 1017 / 9271
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