Bombay’s Art Deco

Art Deco, as an architectural style, emerged in Bombay in the 1930s, at a time when the city was rapidly industrialising and heading towards freedom against colonial rule. Bombay’s natives welcomed Art Deco architecture as a sign of progress because of its popularity in the West and amongst the elites. Because of its strong geometric shapes, clean lines, and a blend of modern and traditional elements, it was considered a creative expression. But apart from aesthetics, these elements even served their purpose by protecting the occupants against the tropical climate of Bombay. All of those architectural elements – eyebrows or projections; turret; streamlined facade; porthole – are inspired by nautical elements of the ship since Bombay is a port city. The movement even represented patriotism as the ‘native architects’ would often incorporate Indian motifs such as a lotus or a farmer. One of the city’s most identifiable Art Deco structures, the Eros Theatre, was built in 1938 and symbolises the city’s aspirations for modernization during the 20th century. It developed into a hub for entertainment and had a big impact on the social and cultural makeup of the city. At a time when new kinds of urban amusement were emerging, Eros Theatre provided something very contemporary: a live performance, music, and film combination that drew in Bombay’s expanding middle class. The theatre’s architecture and the range of events it presented represented the city’s evolving identity. 

Eros Cinema, Mumbai-Sheet1
Art Deco features in Eros Cinema_© Mumbai World Heritage

More Than A Cinema

The Eros Theatre was intended to exude sophistication and modernism. Its design was a unique combination that reflected Bombay’s status as a colonial metropolis on the verge of independence. The building exudes elegance and exclusivity because of its impressive grand façade, sleek construction, and large lobby. Even though Eros Theatre was first intended to be a movie theatre, it offered much more than just movie screenings. The theatre featured live music, cabaret acts, and the trailblazing Ladies’ Band, an all-female orchestra, in the early years. These shows were more than just entertainment; they also symbolised a greater change in Bombay’s culture. Particularly, cabarets contributed to the city’s expanding nightlife industry, which brought in new kinds of entertainment that catered to a broad spectrum of consumers, including both the working class and the affluent. The Ladies’ Band’s selection was particularly noteworthy since it represented shifting gender dynamics in the public domain. Women’s participation in public entertainment was still restricted in the early 20th century. The presence of an all-women band at a famous venue like Eros signified that society conventions were progressively shifting, making way for women to be visible in new roles. This trend was representative of a larger shift in Bombay’s cultural environment, as women started to make their marks in fields and pursuits that men had hitherto dominated.

Eros Cinema, Mumbai-Sheet2
Archival photo of the original Foyer of the theatre _© Art Deco Mumbai Trust

Eros Theatre Democratizing Entertainment Industry

The emergence of movie theatres such as Eros Theatre signalled a significant change in Bombay residents’ leisure activities. Before the establishment of professional entertainment venues like theatres, city amusement was frequently unstructured and took place outside or in public areas. Despite their continued existence, traditional entertainment genres including sporting events and folk performances were gradually losing their appeal to live performances and movies. A key factor in this change was the Eros Theatre. It developed into a place where individuals from many backgrounds could congregate and take in live events and movies, thus promoting a common sense of modernity. The theatre’s opulence and state-of-the-art features, such as its sound systems for movies, made watching movies an innovative experience that drew people from all walks of life. Eros therefore contributed to the democratisation of entertainment in Bombay by making it available to a wider audience than the city’s upper classes. The theatre was located close to Churchgate, a busy neighbourhood with upscale apartment buildings, stores, and offices. Because of its location, it was a well-liked hangout for the upper middle class, who could enjoy a night at the movies followed by dinner or drinks at one of the local eateries or nightclubs. Eros became a hub for leisure, culture, and social class, woven into the fabric of the city.

Bridging class divisions was one of Eros Theatre’s most significant contributions to Bombay‘s cultural environment. The theatre attracted middle-class and working-class patrons despite being situated in a posh district and serving the city’s upper class. Because of the diversity of its clientele, the establishment became a forum for brief interactions between members of various socioeconomic classes while enjoying the same form of entertainment. In many respects, cinema—and especially movie houses like Eros—became a tool for cultural equality. People from different backgrounds might participate in the same cultural consumption through the shared experience of seeing a movie or going to a live performance, removing barriers that had previously divided them. Thus, the Eros Theatre became more than simply a hangout; it was a microcosm of Bombay’s changing character as a modern, varied, and cosmopolitan city.

Cinema’s Revival

This 86-year-old icon was unfortunately shut down because of the growing popularity of multiplexes. Neglected for quite some years, the building started to lose its essence. Around 6 years ago, the owner of the cinema, Atul Gupta, approached Ar. Hafeez Contractor & Ar. Kirtida Unwalla to restore the cinema to its former glory. Since a single-screen theatre cannot survive in today’s economy, something else needs to be done as well. Hence a new IMAX screen was installed with a world-class audio system. According to Unwalla, every new design, modification, sketch, or preservation measure had to be approved by the historic board. This was a cooperative process that made sure that every conservation step was carried out. Through this process of photo-documenting and laser-scanning, the team learned how to execute various design features in a unique way. While conserving the bas-relief panels, they realised that those panels were most likely constructed in situ and skilfully hand-attached to remain fixed over the curved walls. After this vigorous exercise, Eros has been brought back to life in 2024 and now streams every movie which is released and even has a good box-office collection.

Eros Cinema, Mumbai-Sheet3
Eros Cinema’s new Foyer interior after restoration_©ZeeZest

Eros Theatre is still a beloved icon in Mumbai’s urban landscape, even if it no longer has the same social impact as it once did. As the city has become more technologically advanced, single-screen cinemas such as Eros have become less important as multiplexes and international entertainment have taken over. Still, the theatre’s significance as a representation of Bombay’s cultural revolution persists. Today, Bombay’s Eros Theatre is a nostalgic window into a period just before major social and cultural transformation. The city’s aspirations and its status as an Indian modernity pioneer are still evident in its Art Deco façade. Though its significance as a leisure hotspot has diminished, Eros still represents a pivotal moment in the city’s history, when areas such as these helped to form Bombay’s urban identity.

References:

  1. Art Deco (2022) Movies, cabarets, a Ladies Band – Eros Theatre and the recreational promise of 20th century Bombay – Art deco. https://www.artdecomumbai.com/research/movies-cabarets-a-ladies-band-eros-theatre-and-the-recreational-promise-of-20th-century-bombay/.
  2. Das, E. (2024) ‘Mumbai’s iconic Eros Cinema set to reopen: what changes, what doesn’t,’ Condé Nast Traveller India, 31 January. https://www.cntraveller.in/story/mumbais-iconic-eros-cinema-set-to-reopen-what-changes-what-doesnt/.
Author

Gauri Raut, based in Mumbai, is a final-year student at Sir J.J. College of Architecture. Her passion for architectural research grew throughout the course. It wasn't love at first sight, but when she did, there was no going back.