“Opera House lena hai? Opera House mein kidhar?”

That’s what you’d hear - if you told your kaali peeli taxi to take you to the Opera House in Bombay.

But before we start talking about India’s only surviving Opera House, let me tell you why I’m writing this.

It’s been over 4 years since The Royal Opera House Mumbai re-opened its doors, and exactly how long it’s been - since I first went up the spiral staircases of this beautiful institution.

The building was restored with such finesse that it went on to win the UNESCO Heritage Award. And since, it was a bit too difficult to not notice the grandeur while passing it - everyone knew that the Opera House was back 🎊. But the thing not many were aware of, was that the 1975 film, ‘Prem Kahani’ starring Rajesh Khanna, Shashi Kapoor, Mumtaaz, and Vinod Khanna played a vital role in The Royal Opera House returning to its glory.

Photo you’re seeing above is from the Kala Ghoda Heritage Walk I attended in 2016 - the only way I could step into the newly restored Royal Opera House Mumbai. That is, before we had the area on the left turned into The Quarter (which closed doors in 2019). Originally, that area would be the horse stable where people would park their horses. There's more interesting stuff like the open space being filled with ice back in the day - so that wind blowing from the sea would push in the cool air to act as air conditioning. But all that, another time.

Note: Skip this section if you’re here for the photos

Royal Opera House - Rewind

While construction began in 1909, the inauguration took place in 1911 - i.e. even before work was complete. By the way, inaugurated by King George V himself. And finally, in 1912 the building was ready. Started initially with plays and dramas. Cut to the 1970s - when it was turned into a cinema house, screening Bollywood films up until 1993 - when it was shut down completely.

However, in the late 2000s, the idea of restoring the building took birth and the owners (the Royal Family of Gondal) decided to go ahead with it. But there was barely any documentation to understand what the exterior or the interiors looked like. And here we go...

Prem Kahani 1975

A superhit movie with a superstar lineup, the 1975 film was one of the highest-grossing Indian hits that year. The 8th time Mumtaaz and Rajesh were seen on screen together, and what would be Mumtaaz's last film (while she was active).

But IMDB could tell you that. You're here for the pictures so here we go.

The Royal Opera House Mumbai - Then

It was this film that helped the architects get an idea of what the interiors were like originally.

I've been to the Opera House several times now and the entrance is exactly like you see here in the scene above. In the foreground, on the right - are the doors to the Royal Stalls, and on the left, behind the pillars - the exit gates. When they say the restoration won several awards, they well freaking deserved it.

I’ve watched some fabulous acts like Cigarettes After Sex, Parekh & Singh, John McLaughlin - all performing live from where you can see Shashi Kapoor standing here.

These boxes on the side of the venue have been restored too but are no more active. However, before it switched from being a performance theatre to a cinema hall - these, besides the Royal Stalls at the back, would be the expensive seats.

The seating has changed a lot too. Originally shiny red and gold, to wooden ones like at Edward Talkies, to royal blue ones while screening movies, and back to red and gold now.

Enough talk, I’ll let the pictures do the talking now.

More scenes from Prem Kahani (1975)

Last thing I'd like to add - What you see above is the Green Room. A place where artists wait it out before the show begins. And I’ve had the precious opportunity to meet CAS members here backstage for a few seconds while working on the show.

The Royal Opera House Mumbai - Now

Remember the stairs we saw above? These are the same ones, now located backstage.

More pictures of Royal Opera House Mumbai

Isn't it beautiful?

Special Mention: Spiral Staircases

A sight that's extremely rare these days in Bombay - so, it was spellbinding for me to see these for the first time.

Another Special Mention: Minton Tiles #FromWhereIStand

While they may make up for some lovely Instagram-worthy photos, Minton tiles have a long history and association with a lot of Bombay's old buildings. Be it the Bhau Daji Lad Museum, The Royal Bombay Yacht Club, The David Sassoon Library - they've all got these floorings. There are lot more buildings too that you'll find these at, and the Opera House is one such building.

If you haven't guessed it yet - I'm completely in awe of the Royal Opera House and can never get enough of it. I suggest the next time you're in the city, lookout for a chance to attend an event here. Who knows - it might be the start of another Prem Kahani.