National Museum of Indian Cinema
National Museum of Indian Cinema
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Bill Weir
Flagstaff, AZ63 contributions
Feb 2020
One could easily spend half a day learning about the history and people involved with Indian cinema. You can also see the cameras, sound gear, editing, and other cinema equipment used through the decades, and learn how they operate. A Children's Film Studio lets kids experience aspects of movie making.
Note that cell phone photography is permitted (no flash), but taking photos with other types of cameras is strictly prohibited. The website mentions a 4 p.m. film showing, but don't count on this--the projector wasn't working when I visited. My main complaint is that the foreigners admission is Rp. 500; that's 25 times the Indian price! Children up to age 12 are free. Staff recommend starting with the history exhibits in the historic Gulshan Mahal, then proceeding the the four floors of exhibits in the towering glass-walled new building.
Note that cell phone photography is permitted (no flash), but taking photos with other types of cameras is strictly prohibited. The website mentions a 4 p.m. film showing, but don't count on this--the projector wasn't working when I visited. My main complaint is that the foreigners admission is Rp. 500; that's 25 times the Indian price! Children up to age 12 are free. Staff recommend starting with the history exhibits in the historic Gulshan Mahal, then proceeding the the four floors of exhibits in the towering glass-walled new building.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sheethal
Singapore, Singapore7 contributions
Jan 2020
The cinema was very well designed and had informative displays. The museum involves two buildings - a bungalow and another glass building. The bungalow depicting the beginnings of film around the world as well as what it meant for Bollywood. It also featured songs and movie posters from old Bollywood films. The glass building had four levels, each level having a different theme.
However, it might be more appreciated by those who are familiar with Bollywood (especially the pre-2000s era) or are very interested in the creation, production and history of films. The entrance fee is a mere 20Rs/- for Indians (unsure of what the rate is like for foreigners).
However, it might be more appreciated by those who are familiar with Bollywood (especially the pre-2000s era) or are very interested in the creation, production and history of films. The entrance fee is a mere 20Rs/- for Indians (unsure of what the rate is like for foreigners).
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shilpa
505 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
I work in films as a director, and I grew up near the Thomas Edison National Museum in West Orange, New Jersey, USA. So I absolutely loved this museum. It is long overdue for the world’s largest film industry. You can play with many of the historical items. The new building is very modern, and the old building is beautiful. They should have India’s Oscar trophies displayed there as well. Took about 90 minutes to see. They should open a Cafe there so people can hang out. Also they host some archival screenings and events.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronak S
Paris, France2,014 contributions
Sep 2019
The National Museum of Indian Cinema, aka, the Bollywood Museum, is India's only museum on cinema. It was inaugurated in 2019 by the Prime Minister, and is a hidden gem. Not many people know about it, and maybe that will help in maintaining it better.
The museum is off Pedder Road, in a beautiful property that is owned by the Films Division of India. It is split between two buildings - the 19th century bungalow, Gulshan Mahal, and a new 5-storey glass building. The outside is well-shaded and has views overlooking the sea.
Gulshan Mahal is a beautiful bungalow in itself, with its pillared verandah, and glaze-tiled interiors. It has various rooms that talk about the beginnings of cinema and cinema in India. There's a bust of Dadasaheb Phalke, the Father of Indian Cinema, at the entrance. There are exhibits on the beginnings of cinema - from the earlier crude devices to connote motion, to the invention of the film by the Lumber brothers, and then the first screening of a film in India at the Watsons Hotel in Bombay. As you go through its rooms, you see various exhibits talking about the growth of cinema in India, the advent of the talkies, World Wars, the New Wave/Parallel Cinema, regional cinema, etc. There are original lobby cards, magazines, and posters. Regional cinema is also well-represented, and stalwarts such as Satyajit Ray, Bimal Roy, Ritwik Ghatak, Guru Dutt get the recognition they deserve. Around the verandah of the bungalow, are posters taking you through 100 years of Indian cinema, from Raja Harishchandra, the first film in India, right up to 2017/18. There are many cameras from back in time, and interactive props to educate audiences.
You move on to the new building, that is spread over 4 levels. The top-most level is about Cinema across India, and talks about films from the late 1800s to the current age, covering some of the most popular films and stars. Level 3 on Technology, Creativity and Indian Cinema is an educational one talking about film editing, equipment, cameras, lights and bulbs, types of lighting, and various other elements. I liked that they had an entire blank wall, indicating planning on part of the institute for future expansions. In the playback singing section, you could also listen to a wide collection of songs from popular films. Level 2 and 1 were much smaller as compared to 3 and 4. 2 was an interactive section, largely for children, to experience each aspect of filming, from editing to camera angles, while level 1 was on Gandhi and Cinema, talking about the most-represented individual on cinema. Displays throughout the 4 floors were interactive.
The facilities at the museum are nice, however in the new building, not even a year in, the toilets were not functioning properly and taps had broken. The auditorium, meant for screenings, was not working.
There's no valet parking. Cameras are not allowed, but one can take photos on the mobile. The staff is helpful and friendly.
The museum is off Pedder Road, in a beautiful property that is owned by the Films Division of India. It is split between two buildings - the 19th century bungalow, Gulshan Mahal, and a new 5-storey glass building. The outside is well-shaded and has views overlooking the sea.
Gulshan Mahal is a beautiful bungalow in itself, with its pillared verandah, and glaze-tiled interiors. It has various rooms that talk about the beginnings of cinema and cinema in India. There's a bust of Dadasaheb Phalke, the Father of Indian Cinema, at the entrance. There are exhibits on the beginnings of cinema - from the earlier crude devices to connote motion, to the invention of the film by the Lumber brothers, and then the first screening of a film in India at the Watsons Hotel in Bombay. As you go through its rooms, you see various exhibits talking about the growth of cinema in India, the advent of the talkies, World Wars, the New Wave/Parallel Cinema, regional cinema, etc. There are original lobby cards, magazines, and posters. Regional cinema is also well-represented, and stalwarts such as Satyajit Ray, Bimal Roy, Ritwik Ghatak, Guru Dutt get the recognition they deserve. Around the verandah of the bungalow, are posters taking you through 100 years of Indian cinema, from Raja Harishchandra, the first film in India, right up to 2017/18. There are many cameras from back in time, and interactive props to educate audiences.
You move on to the new building, that is spread over 4 levels. The top-most level is about Cinema across India, and talks about films from the late 1800s to the current age, covering some of the most popular films and stars. Level 3 on Technology, Creativity and Indian Cinema is an educational one talking about film editing, equipment, cameras, lights and bulbs, types of lighting, and various other elements. I liked that they had an entire blank wall, indicating planning on part of the institute for future expansions. In the playback singing section, you could also listen to a wide collection of songs from popular films. Level 2 and 1 were much smaller as compared to 3 and 4. 2 was an interactive section, largely for children, to experience each aspect of filming, from editing to camera angles, while level 1 was on Gandhi and Cinema, talking about the most-represented individual on cinema. Displays throughout the 4 floors were interactive.
The facilities at the museum are nice, however in the new building, not even a year in, the toilets were not functioning properly and taps had broken. The auditorium, meant for screenings, was not working.
There's no valet parking. Cameras are not allowed, but one can take photos on the mobile. The staff is helpful and friendly.
Written October 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
israr mansuri
Vadodara, India420 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
This is my first trip in Mumbai with my wife and I went to National Museum of Indian cinema in Peddar Road very wonderful building old Indian movies collection there such a lovely it was
Written April 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LaohuPenang
Penang Island, Malaysia530 contributions
Jan 2020
This museum offers a short overview of Indian cinema in the old building for those who visit briefly and a more detailed insight in the new building with interactive features
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anika Sharma
Navi Mumbai, India3,293 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
I visited this musuem for European film festival.It is on Peddar road , the narrow left turn is easy to miss( we missed it and then there is no U turn till about 10 minutes ).
Once you enter the premises ,it is quite spread out,full of greenery and basement parking (a luxury in Mumbai) .
We could not visit the museum as it is open from 11 am to 5 pm ( Tuesday to Sunday) only.
However we went to Auditorium 1 which was very nicely done up .There is the newly constructed area and an old one which is heritage building ,the Musuem is spread across these two buildings.
I would like to be back to see the museum and the glorious history of Indian Cinema.
Once you enter the premises ,it is quite spread out,full of greenery and basement parking (a luxury in Mumbai) .
We could not visit the museum as it is open from 11 am to 5 pm ( Tuesday to Sunday) only.
However we went to Auditorium 1 which was very nicely done up .There is the newly constructed area and an old one which is heritage building ,the Musuem is spread across these two buildings.
I would like to be back to see the museum and the glorious history of Indian Cinema.
Written September 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mohitrastogi
Ranchi, India428 contributions
Oct 2019
You won't find its name in a travel directory, but if you are Indian Cinema lover, this place shall not be missed. Even many taxi drivers don't know the place. It was inaugurated earlier in 2019. It is spread in two buildings, on is Gulshan Mahal- a single storied mahal and the 2nd is 4 stories building. The Indian Cinema history, its directors, artists, films, technques, etc all are shown in great detail. There are man hands-on type of things also. Don't miss.
Written October 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
charoos
mumbai623 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
The National Museum of Indian Cinena, situated in the heart of south Mumbai, is the only one of its kind in India. Opened early this year, it is spread over four levels of a newly built modern building, appropriately called Glass House. It beautifully displays hundred plus years of Indian cinema, from the days of silent films to today’s hi tech colour video. Makes very interesting viewing of an unparalleled history. The collection is artistically displayed an several items have audio and video presentation. In addition to the Glass House, the museum Hasan old heritage building called Gulshan Mahal, which also houses a section of the museum. The museum has a number of auditoriums, which screen movies from time to time. We were shown an hour long movie about the history of Indian cinema. The director and other members of the management team, who took us around, were very cordial and knowledgeable. A real treat.
Written May 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cedric N
Mumbai, India693 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
Had been to this one of its kind museum in Cumballa Hill a few weeks ago. It is located inside the Films Division complex.
Inaugurated in 2019, this museum is under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India. It is housed in two buildings, the heritage Gulshan Mahal and the New Museum Building. This museum showcases history of Indian cinema through recordings, memorabilia, cameras, equipment etc. It is visited by locals and foreign tourists.
The entrance fees are Rs. 75 per Indian adult, Rs. 40 per Indian child, Rs. 500 per foreign adult and Rs. 250 per foreign child. This museum is open from 11 am to 6 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. It is closed on Mondays and Public Holidays. Photography is allowed. Videography is not allowed. Had roamed inside the both the buildings and got a glimpse of the history & modernization of Indian Cinema.Â
This museum is an ideal place for families, children as well as film enthusiasts. It is a must visit and should not be missed.
Inaugurated in 2019, this museum is under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India. It is housed in two buildings, the heritage Gulshan Mahal and the New Museum Building. This museum showcases history of Indian cinema through recordings, memorabilia, cameras, equipment etc. It is visited by locals and foreign tourists.
The entrance fees are Rs. 75 per Indian adult, Rs. 40 per Indian child, Rs. 500 per foreign adult and Rs. 250 per foreign child. This museum is open from 11 am to 6 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. It is closed on Mondays and Public Holidays. Photography is allowed. Videography is not allowed. Had roamed inside the both the buildings and got a glimpse of the history & modernization of Indian Cinema.Â
This museum is an ideal place for families, children as well as film enthusiasts. It is a must visit and should not be missed.
Written March 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi,
Is there any car parking space on property?
Thanks.
Written October 10, 2019
Yes there is ample car parking in basement .
Written October 21, 2019
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