Best place to see a Bollywood flick in India

Even if you don’t understand a word of Hindi, it’s worth taking in a flick to soak up some Bollywood glam. The Raj Mandir cinema in Jaipur, Rajasthan is perhaps the best-known cinema in India and can seat up to 1,237 moviegoers.

Opened in 1976, the cinema was designed in Art Moderne style (which is essentially late Art Deco) by architect W.M. Namjoshi and is, rather oddly, shaped like a meringue in pastel hues.

Over the years, this Indian icon has hosted many Bollywood premieres. And walking inside the grand foyer, you’ll get a sense of its once-glorious past, with chandeliers in a domed ceiling and a ramp that sweeps you up to the balconies. Nowadays, however, multiplex theatres are popping up all over India and replacing the Art Deco theatres as the place to see and be seen. But the Raj Mandir still manages to pack in a crowd.

Even without subtitles, a Bollywood flick can be just as much a cultural experience as visiting a temple or museum. You can book a ticket from one hour up to seven days in advance at Windows 7 or 8 (between 10am to 6pm), or stand in line when the ticket booth opens 45 minutes before the show.

Cost: Tickets cost between Rs90 to Rs150 (balcony seats are more expensive)
Address: Raj Mandir, B-16 Bhagwan Das Road C-Scheme, Jaipur, Rajhasthan

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