Mumbai's Single-Screen Cinemas Face Extinction as Real Estate Takes Over
Mumbai's iconic single-screen cinemas are rapidly disappearing as owners redevelop these spaces into commercial or residential complexes. A regulation requiring mini-theatres in new projects is not enough to save these historic venues.
MumbaiSinglescreen CinemasReal EstateRedevelopmentCultural HeritageReal Estate MumbaiSep 06, 2025
However, a key rule in Mumbai's development plan, Regulation 17(2), forces redevelopers to include a small theatre in their new project. Specifically, they must restore at least 33% of the cinema’s original seating—capped at a minimum of 150 seats. For example, if a cinema once held 600 seats, the new building must dedicate space for at least 200 seats.
Take Dreamland in Grant Road, originally Krishna Talkies (built in 1919). Its owner is building a luxury mixed-use tower, but the redevelopment must still accommodate a theatre segment. In Chembur, the former Sahakar cinema will become a 13-storey complex with shops, offices, hospitality, and a small cinema. Other theatres, like Central Plaza, Jawahar Talkies, Paradise, Chandan, and Uday Talkies, are also being transformed, though some face legal roadblocks or NOC delays.
Despite these efforts, most theatre owners consider the requirement to include a functioning cinema a major obstacle, given the low footfall in single-screen halls. Redevelopers like Rashesh Kanakia have already tried downsizing cinemas or converting them, but have often had to close due to financial losses.
Architect Manoj Daisaria points out that these redevelopment rules have turned old single-screen sites into real estate opportunities, aligning with the city’s growth, even though it also marks the end of an era in affordable, shared entertainment. The transformation of these historic venues into modern complexes symbolizes the changing landscape of Mumbai, where economic pressures and urban development often take precedence over cultural heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main reason for the decline of single-screen cinemas in Mumbai?
The main reason for the decline of single-screen cinemas in Mumbai is the dwindling audience and low footfall, which makes it financially unviable for owners to continue operating these venues.
What is Regulation 17(2) in Mumbai's development plan?
Regulation 17(2) in Mumbai's development plan requires redevelopers to include a small theatre in their new projects, restoring at least 33% of the original cinema’s seating, capped at a minimum of 150 seats.
Can you provide an example of a single-screen cinema being redeveloped in Mumbai?
Dreamland in Grant Road, originally Krishna Talkies (built in 1919), is being redeveloped into a luxury mixed-use tower, but it must still accommodate a theatre segment as per the regulation.
What challenges do theatre owners face in redeveloping single-screen cinemas?
Theatre owners face challenges such as legal roadblocks, NOC delays, and the requirement to include a functioning cinema in the new project, which can be financially burdensome due to low footfall in single-screen halls.
How are these redevelopments impacting Mumbai's cultural landscape?
These redevelopments are aligning with the city’s growth and turning old single-screen sites into real estate opportunities. However, they also mark the end of an era in affordable, shared entertainment, impacting the cultural heritage of Mumbai.
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