Single screens The birth of Single screens theatres in India can be traced back to early half of the 20th century. It was from then that the phenomenon of cinema slowly started spreading across India. Talking about Mumbai city,
Read More">the Novelty and Empire theatres were built around 1907. The 1930’s saw a boom of movie
Read MoreSingle screens
The birth of Single screens theatres in India can be traced back to early half of the 20th century. It was from then that the phenomenon of cinema slowly started spreading across India. Talking about Mumbai city, the Novelty and Empire theatres were built around 1907. The 1930's saw a boom of movie theatres with the Regal, the Central Plaza, New Empire, Broadway, Eros and Metro coming up. These theatres are architectural masterpieces and a reminder of the Royal British period. Most of these theatres are still running, some declared as heritage structures. Initially, these cinema halls played only English films, however over the period of time, due to increasing demand for Hindi films, they took on to screening popular Hindi films as well.
Over the years, the single screens have spread like an epidemic all over India. The increasing popularity of Hindi films led to the erection of cinema halls in every town in the country. In this section, we'll focus on single screens which play A-grade movies. The multiple screens (mentioned above) and the high standard single screens are similar. Hence, the following description applies for both.
Since these places play popular A-grade Hindi films, getting movie tickets isn't easy. It is like fighting a battle to win the tickets. The queues for movie tickets can be meters long. If you plan to watch a much hyped film with famous stars in the first week of its release, then you might surely experience the following. When the advanced bookings open, people just crowd at the ticket windows. Even if you go to theatre early in the morning, you'll find long queue at the ticket window. Now, normally the windows open at 10am sharp, but today, they will open at least an hour late. The crowd shouts and bangs the window but no use. It's close to noon and the sun is over your head, you are melting with heat, waiting for your turn. Adding to it, there are these weird characters who accompany you in the queue. Like a tobacco chewing guy behind you who gives his prediction of why this film will be a sure shot flop, because the actress doesn't have an item number. Finally, the window opens by 11:30am and people rush to the window. The vendor however, goes on at her own slow pace. In between this entire jumble, there are always some aunties who try to play dirty. Acting needy they might dupe you to buy tickets for their entire family. So beware. Besides, there is a high possibility of you engaging in a fist fight for some petty reason and getting back home with a broken jaw.
By the time you reach the window the weekends shows are full. You still request the lady behind the window to check if anything is available. But the arrogant mausi at the counter makes faces and yells to buy from shows that are available or just get off from the window. You have no choice left. In such situation try to search for a person in the crowds going sau ka teen sau (Rs.100 tickets for Rs.300). They are the black marketing dudes. They do sell tickets illegally at a higher price, but then you can catch the show you want to.