Thing to do
Johari Bazaar
The old city's jewellers' street near Hawa Mahal, lined with family-run shops selling gemstones, kundan and thewa jewellery in Jaipur's planned grid of pink shopfronts.
Raj Mandir Cinema
Jaipur's grand single-screen cinema, opened in 1976 off MI Road, where watching a Hindi film in the pastel Art Moderne auditorium is an experience in itself.
At a glance
- Type
- Single-screen cinema
- Area
- Panch Batti, MI Road, Jaipur, India
- Official site
- rajmandircinema.com
Good to know
- Art Moderne interior
- Dolby Atmos sound
Why we recommend it
Raj Mandir is a single-screen cinema just off MI Road at Panch Batti, and for many visitors going to a film here is one of the most memorable evenings in Jaipur. It opened on 1 June 1976 with a charity screening of the film Charas, and it is still run by the Surana family, a long-established Jaipur jewellery house. Locals sometimes call it the 'temple of cinema', which suits its scale and showmanship.
The building was the final cinema designed by W. M. Namjoshi, an architect who worked on picture houses across India for nearly four decades; Raj Mandir was his 34th and last. Its style is Art Moderne, a late form of Art Deco, and the exterior carries nine stars representing the nine gems of the traditional navaratna set, a nod to the owners' jewellery business. Inside, the foyer and auditorium are famous for their curving, pastel, meringue-like decoration, chandeliers and soft lighting, which make it feel more like a theatre than a multiplex.
The auditorium seats 854 people and is equipped with Dolby Atmos sound. It shows mainstream Hindi releases, and the cinema has hosted trailer launches with Bollywood stars, including events for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 in 2024 and Jaat in 2025. Even if you do not follow Hindi, the plot of a big Bollywood release is often easy to pick up, and part of the attraction is watching with a full house of local film fans.
Book ahead for popular new releases, especially on Friday evenings and weekends, as shows often sell out. Arrive early enough to look around the foyer before the film starts, and remember that many Hindi films are long, so check the running time when you book. The cinema suits couples, groups of friends and families with older children; younger children may find a full-length film long.
Raj Mandir is a short walk from MI Road, one of Jaipur's main shopping streets, which has plenty of restaurants for a meal before or after the show. The Albert Hall Museum and Ram Niwas Garden are a short auto-rickshaw ride away, and the old city's New Gate is close by, so the cinema fits easily into an evening in central Jaipur.
Raj Mandir Cinema FAQs
When did Raj Mandir open?
It opened on 1 June 1976 with a charity screening of the film Charas.
How many seats does Raj Mandir have?
The auditorium seats 854 people.
What kind of films are shown?
Mainstream Hindi releases, and the cinema has hosted Bollywood trailer launches.
Do I need to book in advance?
For new releases and weekend shows it is wise to book ahead, as screenings can sell out.
Who designed the cinema?
The architect W. M. Namjoshi. Raj Mandir was the last of the 34 cinemas he designed.
What is special about the interior?
The Art Moderne foyer and auditorium are known for their curving, pastel decoration and chandeliers.
Where is Raj Mandir?
At Panch Batti on Bhagwan Das Road, just off MI Road in central Jaipur.
Is it suitable for children?
Older children usually enjoy the occasion, but check the running time, as many Hindi films are long.