https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Play_House_%28Mumbai%29Play House (Mumbai) - Revision history2026-11-06T16:23:50ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Play_House_(Mumbai)&diff=525715&oldid=prevKennyReveley866: started a details w/ sources2026-04-05T16:28:02Z<p>started a details w/ sources</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Play House is an area located in Grant Road, Mumbai}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2025}}<br />
'''Play House''' or '''Pila House''' is a locality in the Eastern part of [[Grant Road (South Mumbai, India)|Grant Road]] area, in [[South Mumbai]], [[India]]. It was developed as an entertainment district by the British in 1857.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Choukroune |first1=Leïla |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D7ZeDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Play+House%22+%221857%22+india+%22Pila%22&pg=PA154 |title=Exploring Indian Modernities: Ideas and Practices |last2=Bhandari |first2=Parul |date=2018-06-04 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-981-10-7557-5 |language=en}}</ref> Many famous theatres (some now defunct) are present in this locality.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Leïla Choukroune |first=Parul Bhandari |title=Exploring Indian Modernities : Ideas and Practices |publisher=Springer Nature Singapore |year=2018 |isbn=978-9811075575 |pages=154 |language=English}}</ref> It was surrounded by the [[red light area]] of [[Kamathipura]] on one side, and the Congress House, occupied by traditional dancers and musicians such as the [[tawaif]]s on the other side.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Cinema City: Mumbai – IV: PILA HOUSE, BOMBAY/ MUMBAI – PSBT |url=https://psbt.org/films/cinema-city-mumbai-iv-pila-house-bombay-mumbai/ |access-date=2024-10-18 |language=en-US}}</ref><br />
{{Infobox settlement|<br />
| other_name = Pila House<br />
| settlement_type = Neighbourhood in [[Mumbai]]<br />
| image_skyline = <br />
| image_alt = <br />
| image_caption = <br />
| nickname = <br />
| pushpin_map = India Mumbai<br />
| pushpin_label_position = <br />
| mapframe = <br />
| pushpin_map_alt = <br />
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Mumbai, India<br />
| coordinates = {{Coord|18.961810|N|72.823091|E}}<br />
| subdivision_type = Country<br />
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}<br />
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]<br />
| subdivision_type2 = Metro<br />
| subdivision_name1 = [[Maharashtra]]<br />
| subdivision_name2 = Mumbai<br />
| established_title = Established<br />
| established_date = 1857<br />
| founder = <br />
| named_for = <br />
| government_type = Municipal Corporation<br />
| governing_body = [[Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation|BMC]]<br />
| unit_pref = Metric<br />
| area_footnotes = <br />
| area_total_km2 = <br />
| area_rank = <br />
| elevation_footnotes = <br />
| elevation_m = 4<br />
| population_total = <br />
| population_as_of = <br />
| population_footnotes = <br />
| population_density_km2 = auto<br />
| population_rank = <br />
| population_demonym = <br />
| demographics_type1 = Languages<br />
| demographics1_title1 = Official<br />
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]<br />
| utc_offset1 = +5:30<br />
| postal_code_type = <!-- [[Postal Index Number|PIN]] --><br />
| postal_code = 400008<br />
| registration_plate = MH-01<br />
| website = <br />
| footnotes = <br />
| demographics1_info1 = [[Marathi language|Marathi]]<br />
| name = Play House<br />
| official_name = Play House<br />
}}<br />
<br />
==Overview==<br />
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'''Pila House''' or '''Play House,''' as the British dubbed this area, bordering Kamathipura due to the many theatres (play-houses) in this locality. Today, most of the theatres have been destroyed or converted to another use.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Meera |first=Kosambi |title=Gender, Culture, and Performance : Marathi Theatre and Cinema Before Independence. |publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] |year=2017 |isbn=9781351565905 |pages=214–215 |language=}}</ref><br />
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It was named as '''Play House''' by the British but the locals could not pronounce it well and started calling the area as '''Pila House''' or '''Pila Haus'''.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2023-09-16 |title=Last Chance to See These Structures Before They're Gone |url=https://www.joinpaperplanes.com/last-chance-to-see-these-structures-before-theyre-gone-forever/ |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=Paper Planes |language=en-US}}</ref><br />
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==Prostitution==<br />
As '''Play House''' was surrounded by red-light districts, prostitution spilled into the Play House area as well. The area meant to be an "entertainment district" turned into a mini red-light area. Mainly Nepali [[sex worker]]s gave [[prostitution]] services in Play House. Most of their customers were labourers and workers on daily wages. New-York based author [[Suketu Mehta]] in his book '''<nowiki/>'Maximum City : Bombay lost and found'''' describes it as ''"The men who go there are labourers, cart pullers, coolies: men who work with their bodies all day long and, in the night, buy another working body."''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Suketu |first=Mehta |title=Maximum City : Bombay lost and found |publisher=[[Penguin Books India]] |year=2012 |isbn=9780143417910 |pages=344 |language=English}}</ref><br />
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However, the sex-workers and [[Brothel|brothels]] in Play House had the same fate as those in [[Kamathipura]]. Due to interest of many builders for redevelopment of the area,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Pila House Redevelopment: Bombay HC rejects PIL alleging irregularity in granting additional FSI |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/pila-house-redevelopment-bombay-hc-rejects-pil-alleging-irregularity-in-granting-additional-fsi |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-20 |title=Bombay HC dismisses PIL against nod for redevelopment of 'Pila house' at Kamathipura |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/bombay-hc-violations-bmc-commissioner-redevelopment-pila-house-kamathipura-8456638/lite/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> sex-work has mostly stopped in the area.<br />
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==Theatres==<br />
'''Play House''' ''was an entertainment hub of the city that staged Parsi plays and Marathi tamashas.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warrier |first=Mrigank |date=2017-05-27 |title=The old cinema experience of alfred talkies |url=https://www.asianage.com/entertainment/in-other-news/270517/the-old-cinema-experience-of-alfred-talkies.html |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=asian |language=en}}</ref><br />
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The British shut down all the [[graveyards]] in the area and built many theatres (play-houses).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ashwin |first=Sanghi |title=The Sialkot Saga : Bharat Series 4 |publisher=[[Harper Collins]] |year=2022 |isbn=9789356292468 |pages=35–36 |language=English}}</ref> Many of these theaters, over a century old, now show classic Hindi films or adult movies, catering to migrant labourers and low-income sex workers from the nearby red-light district, i.e. Kamathipura.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-10 |title=Rich & Working Class: When the Bombay Cinema Hall Enthralled them All |url=https://hindi.sabrangindia.in/article/rich-working-class-when-bombay-cinema-hall-enthralled-them-all |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=SabrangIndia |language=en}}</ref><br />
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The theatres such as Gulshan Talkies, Alfred Talkies, New Roshan Talkies, Nishat Talkies, Super Cinema, Royal Cinema once were an integral part of the area.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gianani |first=Kareena N. |title=Once upon a play house |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/special-once-upon-a-play-house-1202576 |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=DNA India |language=en}}</ref> These theatres once had a variety of entertainment from [[Parsi theatre|Parsee theatre]] to Silent theatre to [[Sound film|Talkies]] to [[Play (theatre)|plays]]. But now, most of them have shifted to screening adult C/B grade movies.<ref name=":0" /> For example, Alfred Talkies, originally known as Rippon Theatre established in the year 1880 now screens adult C/B grade movies and old blockbuster Hindi films.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mirza |first=Meher |title=The arc lights have dimmed on South Mumbai's Alfred Talkies |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-the-arc-lights-have-dimmed-on-south-mumbai-s-alfred-talkies-yesteryear-s-silver-screen-star-2012858 |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=DNA India |language=en}}</ref> The New Roshan Talkies, initially known as Elphistone Theatre, established in the early 1930s screened mainly adult movies and the old Hindi films for survival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.projectcinemacity.in/assets/docs/graphic-works//atlas/Pila%20House%20map.pdf|title=Project Cinema City : Pila House}}</ref> However, it could not sustain and had to shut down. Similarly, Gulshan Cinema could not sustain despite the dirt-cheap prices and screening of Bhojpuri and Adult C/B grade movies<ref>{{Cite web |last=AOTP |date=2024-01-25 |title=Larger Than Life : An Ode to Single Screen Cinemas of Mumbai |url=https://aotp.in/an-ode-to-the-single-screen-cinemas-of-mumbai/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=Art of the Possible |language=en}}</ref> due to the intense competition and had to shut down as well.<ref name=":2" /> The Royal Cinema / Talkies, established in the year 1911 opened up mainly for short plays and [[documentaries]]. Unlike other talkies/theatres in Play House, Royal Cinema has a small audience capacity. In the year 1930, the cinema started screening big commercial movies for better business opportunities. However, now the Royal Cinema mainly screens Bhojpuri and adult C/B grade movies. The Nishat Talkies, located right opposite to the Royal Cinema, was established in the year 1952. Nowadays, it screens Bhojpuri movies and old Hindi movies.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Trisha |first=Gupta |title=Bought and Sold on Mutton St. |url=https://punemirror.com/columns/columnists/bought-and-sold-on-mutton-st/cid5116065.htm |work=[[Pune Mirror]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Collin |first=Rodrigues |title=A look at the oldest theatres in Mumbai. |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/a-look-at-the-oldest-theatres-in-mumbai/story-6AZ7yt5trZbEUAoWcGWpRK.html |work=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> The Super Cinema / Talkies / Super Plaza Cinema, established in the late 1920s began with short-plays. Now, it only screens Bhojpuri movies. It is also one of the few theatres still doing well in Play House and not on the verge of shutting down.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-06 |title=The 16 Best Cinema Halls in Mumbai {{!}} BestMumbai |url=https://bestmumbai.in/cinema-hall/#superplazacinema |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=bestmumbai.in |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=The Last Picture Show? Reimagining India's Single-Screen Cinemas |url=https://rax.rochester.edu/s/1676/21/1col.aspx?sid=1676&gid=2&pgid=10602&crid=0&calpgid=13&calcid=664 |website=[[University of Rochester]]}}</ref><br />
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==Connectivity==<br />
'''Play House''' is well connected to most parts of [[South Mumbai]].<br />
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'''Indian Railways :'''<br />
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Play House is located at a distance of 750m from the [[Grant Road railway station]].<br />
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Play House is located at a distance of 2 kilometers from the [[Sandhurst Road railway station]].<br />
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It is located at a distance of 1.5 kilometers from the important sub-urban and terminal railway station of [[Mumbai Central railway station|Mumbai Central]].<br />
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It is located at a distance of 2.7 kilometers from the [[Byculla railway station]].<br />
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All these stations are at a walkable distance, however, taxis are still available if one does not wish to walk.<br />
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'''Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (B.E.S.T.) :'''<br />
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The 'Play House' bus-stop caters to the Play House area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of all Mumbai BEST Bus Stops (BEST Bus stops) - Go4Mumbai.com |url=http://go4mumbai.com/List_of_Bus_Stops.php |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=go4mumbai.com}}</ref> Several buses go through the Play House bus-stop. The List of buses stopping at the Play House bus-stop and their routes are as follows :<br />
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• A-102 : From [[Pydhonie|Vijay Vallabh Chowk (Pydhonie)]] to [[Grant Road railway station]] and vice versa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chalo App : A-102 |url=https://chalo.com/app/live-tracking/route-map/GZDJIHic |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=chalo.com}}</ref><br />
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• A-104 : From [[Pydhonie|Vijay Vallabh Chowk (Pydhonie)]] to [[Malabar Hill|J. Mehta Marg (Malabar Hill)]] and vice versa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chalo App : A-104 |url=https://chalo.com/app/live-tracking/route-map/zhnRWSPu |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=chalo.com}}</ref><br />
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• A-105 : From [[Pydhonie|Vijay Vallabh Chowk (Pydhonie)]] to [[Kamala Nehru Park, Mumbai|Kamla Nehru Park]] and vice versa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chalo App : A-105 |url=https://chalo.com/app/live-tracking/route-map/UCSXBvTe |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=chalo.com}}</ref><br />
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• A-135 : From [[Ferry Wharf]] to [[Malabar Hill|J. Mehta Marg (Malabar Hill)]] and vice versa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chalo App : A-135 |url=https://chalo.com/app/live-tracking/route-map/WFgoNmZv |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=chalo.com}}</ref><br />
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B.E.S.T. directly connects Play House to important localities such as the Grant Road railway station, Sandhurst Road railway station, [[Dockyard Road railway station]], Pydhonie, Malabar Hill, [[Walkeshwar]], [[Girgaon Chowpatty]], [[Nana Chowk]], [[August Kranti Maidan]], [[Bhendi Bazaar]], [[Mazgaon]], [[Tardeo]], etc.<br />
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'''Mumbai Metro :'''<br />
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Play House is located at a distance of 700m from the [[Grant Road metro station]] on the [[Line 3 (Mumbai Metro)|Line 3 (Aqua Line)]] of the [[Mumbai Metro]].<br />
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It is located at a distance of 1.6 kilometers from the [[Mumbai Central metro station]] on the Line 3 (Aqua Line) of the Mumbai Metro.<br />
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It is located at a distance of 1.7 kilometers from the [[Girgaon metro station]] on the Line 3 (Aqua Line) of the Mumbai Metro.<br />
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'''State Transport Buses :'''<br />
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Play House is located at a distance of 1.5 kilometers from the Mumbai Central State Transport or [[Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation]] Bus Depot.<br />
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==In popular culture==<br />
The movie '''Dukaan : Pila House''' directed by Indian film-maker [[Iqbal Durrani]], released on 21 May 2004 in India, starring actors and actresses such as [[Rati Agnihotri]], [[Vikas Kalantri]], [[Rambha (actress)|Rambha]], [[Salim Ghouse]], [[Shahbaz Khan (actor)|Shahbaaz Khan]], [[Nawab Shah (actor)|Nawab Shah]], [[Mukesh Tiwari]], [[Deepshikha Nagpal]] and more showed the story of a young woman living in Mumbai's Pila House / Play House area, an area infamous for prostitution. The film explores her journey through the hardships, exploitation, and stigma associated with her life as a sex worker.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dukaan: Pila House (2004) |url=https://www.gawby.com/en-us/movies/4467 |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=GAWBY |language=en}}</ref><br />
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==See also==<br />
{{Portal|India|human sexuality|Prostitution|Sex work|Feminism<br />
}}<br />
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* [[Sex work]]<br />
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* [[Prostitution]]<br />
* [[Prostitution in Mumbai]]<br />
* [[Prostitution in India]]<br />
* [[Kamathipura]]<br />
* [[Sonagachi]]<br />
* [[Arab Lane]]<br />
* [[List of cinemas in Mumbai]]<br />
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== References ==<br />
<!-- Inline citations added to your article will automatically display here. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:REFB for instructions on how to add citations. --><br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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==External links==<br />
* [https://pad.ma/OS/player/AJ Interview with the owner of 'Gulshan Talkies']<br />
* [https://pad.ma/OX/player/AE Interview with the caretaker of a Dargah located in Play House]<br />
* [https://pad.ma/OZ/player/Z Interview with the owner of 'Delhi Darbar', a renowned restaurant in the Play House area.]<br />
* {{IMDb title|tt0414953}}<br />
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[[Category:Mumbai]]</div>KennyReveley866