Jaipur: For generations of Jaipur residents, a visit to Raj Mandir has been more than a movie outing. It has been an experience defined by grandeur, nostalgia and a shared love for cinema. As the iconic theatre celebrates its golden jubilee on June 1, it is revisiting five decades of cinematic memories that have made it one of India’s most celebrated single-screen cinemas.Raj Mandir opened on June 1, 1976, with the screening of Charas. Over the years, it became a landmark not only for Jaipur but also for Bollywood enthusiasts across the country. To mark its 50th anniversary, the theatre is hosting free screenings of five films that enjoyed memorable runs at the venue — Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Chupke Chupke. All complimentary tickets have already been distributed through BookMyShow and the theatre’s booking counters.“Cinema lovers since the inception of our cinema hall have given a lot of love to this theatre. While celebrating 50 years, we are screening some of the films that had long runs and offering free tickets to audiences,” said Kushal Chand Surana, one of the founders of Raj Mandir.The celebration, Surana said, is a tribute to the audiences whose affection helped transform the theatre into a cultural institution. “Raj Mandir has received immense love and support over the last five decades. We wanted to give something back to the people who made this journey possible,” he said.When Raj Mandir was built in the 1970s, it stood apart from most cinemas of the era. It introduced carpeting, air-conditioning, automated curtains, fragrance-filled reception areas and seating sections named after precious gemstones.“There was a time when people advised us against installing carpets, saying moviegoers would spit or smoke inside. But we believed that if you create a world-class ambience, people would respect it — and they did,” Surana recalled.One of the theatre’s most memorable moments came in October 1985 when filmmaker Raj Kapoor visited during the release of Ram Teri Ganga Maili. Impressed by the venue, he wrote in the visitors’ book: “I wish other cinema exhibitors of India should learn from Raj Mandir how to exhibit a film.”The film completed a 52-week run at the theatre, while Hum Aapke Hain Kaun later became one of its biggest successes, running for nearly one-and-a-half years.Even after 50 years, Raj Mandir’s distinctive architecture and enduring charm continue to attract visitors, making it a living symbol of Bollywood’s golden era and Jaipur’s cultural heritage.
