Bollywood in London
There are loads of Asians in London, loads of Bollywood films produced each year, and presumably loads of people who might want to see them, but the Cineworld chain seems to be the only cinema that has cottoned onto this. Unless the exceptionally long running times of most Bollywood movies and the number of dodgy DVDs in circulation means its not a money-spinner, it's odd.
Anyhow, Cineworld has at least three key London-area sites – Feltham, Staples Corner and Ilford – showing regular Bollywood films - although only a tiny tiny proportion of those actually made make it to the big screen. Other cinemas to show the latest dramas and musicals coming from India include Upton Park's Boleyn and the famous Harrow Safari.
Sadly the true home of Asian cinema, the Himalya Palace in Southall closed down in 2010 - and is still sorely missed (see below).
But for value for money you can't get better than a Bollywood movie on a rainy Tuesday afternoon. The Harrow Safari charges for £3.50 for 2-3 hours of movie: that's 2-3p a minute, a real bargain.
