Prithvi Theatre

Not far from Juhu Beach, Prithvi is one of Mumbai’s best known theatres, that belongs to the Kapoors, founding family of Bollywood. Their annual drama festival features the best plays from India and several theatre workshops teach you the ropes of acting. Outside, the charming garden café with its mellow lamplit tables is usually filled with the city’s culturati, dining on oven fresh rotis and wholesome north Indian food, washed down with goblets of Irish Coffee.

Prithvi Theatre, one of the oldest theatres in Mumbai, is situated in the posh Juhu locality. It is basically a subsidiary of the Shri Prithviraj Kapoor Memorial Trust & Research Foundation. Prithviraj Kapoor began Prithvi Theatres in 1944, when he was touching the heights in his career. Later, his son Shashi Kapoor and daughter-in-law Jennifer set up the Memorial Trust in the 1975, as a tribute to the memory of Prithviraj Kapoor. The main aims of setting up the trust were:

• Promoting professional Hindi theatre.
• Helping and promoting talented people in the Film Industry.
• Setting up a theatre of international standards.
• Providing medical and educational assistance to theatre workers and their children
• Setting up a place for rehearsals and workshops, etc.

Prithviraj Kapoor, a legend in himself, is the source of inspiration behind the establishment of Prithvi Theatre. A well-known theatre of Mumbai, Prithvi Theatre belongs to the Kapoors – the leading actor/director families in Bollywood. Shashi Kapoor, the youngest son of Prithviraj Kapoor, along with his wife Jennifer Kendal, worked enthusiastically towards realizing their father’s dream of  having a theater of performing arts. On 5th November 1978, Prithvi Theatre was inaugurated amidst grand cultural celebrations in Bombay. Prithvi Theatre: A charming theatre, well known and loved by every theatre goer in the city. This theatre built in 1978, can accommodate up to 200. There are no individual seats but cushioned amphitheatre style setting instead. It has a thrust stage and good acoustics. Shows in all languages play here on all days except Mondays. This venue also has a photo gallery bookshop and caf known for its Irish coffee. Annual events include the Prithvi Festival, Celebrating Poetry and Summertime for children. Tickets may be bought from 10 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 7 pm. Go to BookMyShow for online bookings and home delivery.Prithvi Theater was inaugurated in November 1978 and since then; it has constantly striving to bright the talented individuals into limelight. A completely non-profit organization, the theatre depends on donations from individuals and companies who want to promote the performing and fine arts in India. Apart from conducting plays, Prithvi Theatre also organizes workshops, exhibitions, poetry sessions, film screenings, musical concerts, etc. There is also a book shop inside its premises.

Shashi and Jennifer both had a great passion and high opinion about Indian theatre. After the sad demise of Prithviraj Kapoor, Shashi bought a piece of land and decided to set up a Trust in the memory of great actor that would encourage performing arts in India. Moreover, the country lacked a theatre where aspiring actors could show their talent and meet the audience. Such a theater was the need of the society and emergence of Prithvi theatre was the perfect answer to the dilemma. In the present day, Prithvi Theatre is active and even organizes an annual drama festival that features the best plays from India. Numerous theatre workshops are organized here to promote aspirants of theater while refining their nuts and bolts of acting. Outside the theatre, there is a garden café which serve delicious food on lamp lit tables. It is famous for its North Indian food and Irish coffee. A visit to Prithvi Theatre would give you a fantastic glimpse into the cultural and modern theater in India.