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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC) in Mumbai brings together a chronological history of Indian film, displays about filmmaking and cinema across India, and interactive exhibits. It occupies two buildings at the Films Division Complex on Pedder Road: a modern museum building and the restored heritage mansion Gulshan Mahal. The visit is designed to move from cinema’s origins to regional film cultures, with hands-on activities described in official visitor information.
What is inside the National Museum of Indian Cinema?
NMIC combines historical displays and film-related objects with digital and interactive material. Its stated collection scope includes costumes and other film properties, vintage equipment, posters, film copies, promotional leaflets, soundtracks, trailers, transparencies and old cinema magazines. These are examples of the collection, not a guarantee that every item will be on display during a particular visit. The museum’s official page outlines the collection and visitor information.
The museum opened to the public on 20 January 2019, after its inauguration the previous day. The inauguration announcement describes the galleries in both buildings.
How are the two buildings different?
New Museum Building: themes, technology and activities
The New Museum Building has four exhibition halls, covering Gandhi and cinema, filmmaking, technology and creativity, and cinema across India. Its Children’s Film Studio explores the science, technology and art of filmmaking through activities involving cameras, lighting, shooting and acting. The 2019 official description also names a chroma studio, immersive experience zone, stop-motion animation studio and virtual makeover studio. Because those details come from the museum’s 2019 opening-era description, confirm what is operating before planning around a particular installation. The Press Information Bureau’s gallery description gives the original layout.
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Gulshan Mahal: a chronological history
The second building, Gulshan Mahal, is a 19th-century heritage structure restored for the museum project and described as an ASI Grade-II building. Its nine sections create a historical path through the development of cinema:
- The Origin of Cinema
- Cinema comes to India
- Indian Silent Film
- Advent of Sound
- The Studio Era
- The impact of World War II
- Creative Resonance
- New Wave and Beyond
- Regional Cinema
That sequence is useful for understanding the visit: it links changes in film technology and production to broader creative developments, then places regional cinema within the story of Indian film.
Are there interactive exhibits for children?
Yes. The Children’s Film Studio is specifically described as a hands-on space, and the Ministry of Tourism also lists activities involving footage editing, special effects and voice-over, alongside costumes, props, posters and multimedia displays. These are features described by official sources, not a guarantee that every activity is available on the day you visit. The Ministry of Tourism overview includes its visitor-facing exhibit description.
Opening hours, tickets and location
The museum is at the Films Division Complex on Pedder Road, Mumbai. The operator and Ministry of Tourism pages list opening hours as Tuesday to Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., with closure on Mondays and public holidays. The operator page lists parking at the complex. Since visitor details can change, reconfirm hours and access arrangements with the museum before travelling. Check the operator’s NMIC page for the latest information it publishes.
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The operator page lists these admission fees:
| Visitor category | Listed admission |
|---|---|
| Indian visitors above 14 years | ₹75 |
| Indian children aged 3–13 | ₹40 |
| Foreign citizens above 14 years | ₹500 |
| Foreign children aged 3–13 | ₹250 |
Prices are time-sensitive. Older records differ: a January 2019 government announcement listed Indian adults at ₹20 and children and students as free, while a 2023 Ministry of Culture directory listed the same fee schedule shown above. Treat those as dated published prices, not proof that the current fee is unchanged. The 2019 announcement also mentioned a daily 4–5 p.m. film screening beginning 28 January 2019; it does not establish that screenings are currently offered. The 2019 announcement records the then-planned screening and fees, and the Ministry of Culture museum directory contains its 2023 listing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is the National Museum of Indian Cinema worth visiting?
It is a strong fit for visitors interested in how Indian cinema developed, the objects and media associated with film production, or the range of cinema across India. The two-building format offers both a chronological history in Gulshan Mahal and themed, technology-focused galleries in the New Museum Building. Families may particularly value the filmmaking activities described for the Children’s Film Studio, subject to confirming availability.
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For a visit focused on a specific exhibit or screening, check current operating details first: the museum’s published gallery and activity descriptions include information from its 2019 opening, and the historical screening announcement is not evidence of a current schedule.
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