Drive-In Theaters in India

Drive-In Cinemas in India

India’s first drive-in cinema opened on September 6, 1973, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The Sunset Drive-In Cinema screened Abhimaan, a Bollywood film starring Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, at its inaugural showing. Over the following decades, drive-in cinemas appeared in Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore, though most have since closed. The Sunset Drive-In in Ahmedabad is believed to be the only traditional drive-in still operating in India.

The Sunset Drive-In Cinema, Ahmedabad

Photo: FabSubeject, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Sunset Drive-In Cinema holds a singular place in Indian cinema history. Opened in 1973, the venue sits on what is now called Drive In Road in Ahmedabad — the road itself named after the cinema. The facility accommodates approximately 665 cars and can hold more than 6,000 people at capacity.

The Sunset Drive-In has operated continuously for over five decades. Its programming focuses primarily on Hindi-language Bollywood releases, serving audiences from across Gujarat. The venue features Dolby sound, a covered seating area for attendees without cars, and an on-site restaurant.

Visiting the Sunset Drive-In traditionally involves a distinctive ritual. Families bring carpets, pillows, and homemade food and snacks to the screenings. The experience functions as part cinema, part outdoor gathering, closer to a family picnic than a conventional movie outing.

Mumbai’s Drive-In Theatre

Mumbai’s Drive-In Theatre opened on December 29, 1977, in Bandra East. The venue spread across 20 acres and accommodated nearly 700 cars. The first film screened was Aadha Din Aadhi Raat. The facility featured a large outdoor screen and radio-linked sound posts.

The Mumbai drive-in occupied a memorable position along the Harbour Line railway. Passengers on passing trains could see the screen from their windows, creating an unintentional shared viewing experience.

The Bandra drive-in eventually closed and its site was redeveloped. The property now houses the Jio World Drive commercial complex.

Prarthana Beach Drive-In, Chennai

The Prarthana Beach Drive-In Theatre opened in 1991 on the East Coast Road near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Billed as India’s first beach drive-in cinema, the venue sat on a 29-acre property along the coast. Its concrete screen measured 100 feet by 60 feet.

The Prarthana ran two shows daily at 7:30 PM and 10:30 PM. Programming consisted mostly of Tamil-language films with occasional English-language releases. The venue included a 500-seat gallery for walk-in patrons, a restaurant, and a children’s play area. It used DTS sound and xenon lamp projection.

The Prarthana closed permanently and was acquired by a construction firm for redevelopment. The site was demolished to make way for residential construction.

Bangalore’s Bannerghatta Road Drive-In

Bangalore (now Bengaluru) had a drive-in theatre on Bannerghatta Road that operated from the 1980s through the late 1990s. The venue closed due to declining attendance and rising real estate values in the area.

COVID-Era Pop-Up Events

Temporary drive-in screenings appeared in several Indian cities during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Bengaluru, Gurugram, and other cities hosted pop-up events in parking lots and open spaces. The Sunset Cinema Club organized drive-in screenings at venues in Gurugram during this period.

These events followed the global pattern of pandemic-era drive-in revivals. They operated on a temporary, event-by-event basis rather than as permanent installations.

Visiting Information

The Sunset Drive-In in Ahmedabad is the primary permanent drive-in venue in India. Screenings begin after sunset, typically around 7:00 to 8:00 PM. Confirming current schedules and operating status through local listings before visiting is advisable.

Indian drive-in culture has a family-oriented character distinct from other countries. Bringing food, blankets, and seating is common. Some attendees sit outside their vehicles in chairs they bring along, rather than watching exclusively from inside the car.

Pop-up drive-in events appear periodically in major cities. Indian event platforms and social media carry announcements when temporary screenings are organized.

More Countries

Browse the full country directory to find drive-in cinemas across Asia and Oceania.