The Majestic Cinema opened its doors on October, 20 1955. The Art Deco building was designed by a local architect Dayalji Pitamber Sachania and commissioned by one of Zanzibar’s cinema entrepreneurs Hassanlai Hameer Hasham after the old cinema went down in flames on February, 8 1954. The previous building, originally called the Royal Cinema, was the first luxurious cinema in East Africa. 

Majestic, the name says it all…

When built, the Majestic Cinema had a panoramic projection screen and stereophonic sound system and seating for 750 people, including a large steep balcony for 200 people. In addition to housing the cinema, the building also included at various moments in time: a restaurant, a canteen selling popcorn, sodas, pastries and other nibbles, offices of Air Tanzania, the State University of Zanzibar, the Ministry of Education and a hotel called Pigalle. Until today the building is used as a cinema hall, which of course during the construction works will be paused. Ticket offices were originally located both at the front and at the rear of the cinema, where there is now an additional building housing a small restaurant and offices. 

Until today the Majestic Cinema has been managed by Abdulhussein Marashi who has been working in the cinema since 1982 taking over from his father. Mr. Marashi has been keeping the cinema alive for the past four decades by playing movies for a small group of loyal movie fans. He also runs the restaurant at the rear of the building.