Metro INOX Cinemas
A landmark Art Deco cinema built by MGM in 1938, designed by the renowned American architect Thomas W. Lamb, Metro INOX remains a significant cultural venue and Grade IIA heritage structure in central Mumbai.
At a glance
This multiplex cinema stands as one of Mumbai’s architectural treasures, blending Hollywood ambition with local expertise. Originally built and operated by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, it has served generations of filmgoers and retains its heritage status despite modern renovations and name changes.
History
Metro Cinema opened in 1938 as part of MGM’s international expansion into Indian cinema. The theater operated under its original name until 2006, when it was rebranded Metro Adlabs. It became Metro Big Cinema from 2008 to 2016, before its current incarnation as Metro INOX Cinemas. The building gained tragic prominence as a target during the 2008 Mumbai attacks by Lashkar-e-Taiba, though it has since been restored.
What you see
The structure exemplifies Art Deco design, a hallmark of 1930s cinema architecture. Thomas W. Lamb, the acclaimed New York architect behind numerous American movie palaces, served as principal designer. D. W. Ditchburn, senior partner of the architectural firm Ditchburn Mistry and Bhedwar, collaborated as associate architect, reflecting a partnership between international and local expertise. The cinema’s Grade IIA heritage classification protects its architectural integrity.
Cultural significance
Metro INOX represents a pivotal moment when Hollywood studios established direct presence in Indian cinema markets. Its survival as both a working theater and heritage monument demonstrates the enduring appeal of mid-twentieth-century cinema design. The building embodies a cosmopolitan moment in Mumbai’s cultural history.
Key facts
- Country: India
- City: Mumbai
- Built: 1938
- Principal architect: Thomas W. Lamb (New York)
- Associate architect: D. W. Ditchburn (Mumbai)
- Heritage grade: IIA
- Coordinates: 18.94°N, 72.83°E
Practical information & getting there
Metro INOX Cinemas operates as a functioning multiplex in central Mumbai. The venue continues to screen films and host events. Detailed opening hours and ticket information are available through the cinema’s current operators.
Sources & resources
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