The Jio Drive-In Theatre at Jio World Drive in BKC, Mumbai, is India’s first open-air rooftop drive-in cinema. Run by PVR, it opened on 5 November 2021 with Sooryavanshi. It holds 290 cars, plays sound through your car’s FM radio and sold tickets per car, for up to four people.
Watching a film from your car under the open sky is an old idea, and Mumbai has a special link to it. The Jio Drive-In sits on the same site as the city’s first drive-in theatre, which opened in 1977. Here is what you need to know before you go, from tickets and timings to the screen, sound and food.
Jio Drive-In Theatre BKC: quick facts
| Location | Rooftop, Jio World Drive, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai |
| Operator | PVR |
| Opened | 5 November 2021, with Sooryavanshi |
| Capacity | 290 cars, up to 4 people per car |
| Screen | About 24 metres by 10 metres, with laser projection |
| Sound | Broadcast on an FM signal to your car’s audio system |
| Tickets at launch | Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,400 per car, as reported in 2021 |
| Shows | Two shows every evening at launch |
The all-new Jio Drive-In Theatre and its history
Reliance and PVR announced the drive-in on 3 November 2021, calling it India’s first open-air rooftop drive-in theatre. It opened two days later inside Jio World Drive, Reliance’s retail and leisure complex in BKC.
The location matters to old Mumbaikars. As Business Today reported at launch, the new theatre sits on the site of Mumbai’s first drive-in, which opened in 1977. That link to the past is a big part of the theatre’s appeal.
Pricing and tickets
You pay per car, not per person. One car means one ticket, and each car can carry up to four viewers. At launch, Business Today reported that tickets started at Rs 1,400 per car, while OfficeChai and other reports put the price at Rs 1,200 per car. Our original report listed weekday prices from Rs 1,200 and weekend prices of up to Rs 2,000.
Tickets and food could be pre-booked on the PVR app and BookMyShow when the theatre opened. Prices and show timings change with the film and season, so check the PVR app or BookMyShow for the latest before you plan a visit.
Show timings
The theatre ran two shows every evening at launch. Our original report listed them at 7:30 pm and 10:30 pm. Since timings depend on the film’s length, confirm them while booking.
Ambience: screen, sound and parking
The screen is the big draw. OfficeChai reported it at 24 metres by 10 metres, among the largest cinema screens in the country, and Business Today said it uses Christie RGB laser projection.
Sound comes through an FM signal that you tune in on your car’s own audio system, so keep your car’s battery in mind for longer films. Cars are parked in a set order, with smaller cars ahead of larger SUVs, so everyone gets a clear view.
Tips for a better view
- Arrive early to get a better parking spot in the row order.
- Tall passengers in the back seat may not see clearly; front seats are best.
- Winter evenings in Mumbai are the most pleasant time to go.
- Carry a light jacket, since the rooftop can get breezy at night.
Food and meals
At launch, the theatre promised a contactless experience, with food and drinks ordered through the app and delivered to your car. Our original report found popcorn, pizza, pasta, frankies and sandwiches at the concession counter, plus a food truck with chaat and other local favourites.
Menus at cinemas change often, so treat these as examples rather than a fixed list. Visitors at the time praised the pizzas, samosas and coffee.
How to book and plan your visit
- Open the PVR app or BookMyShow and search for the Jio Drive-In at Jio World Drive, BKC.
- Pick the film and show, then choose the number of viewers in your car, up to four.
- Pre-order food if the option is available, so it reaches your car during the show.
- Reach early, follow the parking staff and tune your car radio to the FM frequency shown at the venue.
Families with young children, couples and groups of friends get the most out of it. If you do not own a car, this is not the right plan, since the ticket is tied to a vehicle.
Is the Jio Drive-In worth it?
If you want a different movie night in Mumbai, it is a fun one-off. You get privacy, your own space and the novelty of watching a film from your car on a rooftop. It is pricier than a regular multiplex ticket for two, but better value when four people share a car.
Some early visitors on car forums did mention teething trouble with signage and audio in the first week, so it is worth checking recent reviews before you go. For the latest film news, see our movies section and Bollywood coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Jio Drive-In Theatre in Mumbai?
It is on the rooftop of Jio World Drive in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), on the site of Mumbai’s first drive-in theatre from 1977.
What is the ticket price of Jio Drive-In Theatre?
At launch in 2021, tickets were reported at Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,400 per car for up to four people. Check the PVR app or BookMyShow for current prices.
How does the sound work at the drive-in?
The film’s audio is broadcast on an FM signal, which you tune in on your car’s own sound system.
How many cars can the Jio Drive-In hold?
It has space for 290 cars.
Sources: Business Today, OfficeChai.
