Chalo Cinema – A journey through the cinema halls in India

Soft porn single screeners / video parlors This category is as exciting as it sounds. As some wise person once rightly said ‘sex sells’. And furthermore, if it comes at a cheaper rate, Read More">it’s a loot. Such is the case with the theatres playing sleazy soft porn films. Although the censor laws are quite strictRead More

Soft porn single screeners / video parlors

This category is as exciting as it sounds. As some wise person once rightly said 'sex sells'. And furthermore, if it comes at a cheaper rate, it's a loot. Such is the case with the theatres playing sleazy soft porn films. Although the censor laws are quite strict in India, there are some shady places playing such films which run in full swing across India. They successfully pull in a good number of audiences and the theatre owners also make decent profits. Be it in a big city like Mumbai or a small town in Bihar, the soft porn theatres have more or less similar structure and functioning. The audiences are 100% men, who can be categorized as follows:

1) Teenage boys - For teens with jumping hormones, it's like getting a crack code to the biggest secret hidden from them since childhood. So, babies aren't really delivered by storks. All this years Walt Disney lied to them. What exactly happens is a very exciting process, which these teens discover at these theatres, thanks to the kind watchman uncle outside who didn't stop them from sneaking in.

2) Hungry - These are the poor souls who are basically bored with their colorless and spice less life. The sleazy films are the only drug that helps them achieve balance.

3) Retired but not tired - They form the major percentage of audiences in these theatres. They are mainly old uncles who have hung up their boots. They come to watch these movies as a remembrance of the good old times.

The most fascinating part about these theatres is the publicity of their films. The theatre owners flood the surrounding areas with posters of scantily dressed actress which work amazingly well to pull the target audiences. Sometimes, however, the film turns out to be completely different from what was shown in the posters. Even the actors might not be the same. One wonders if these films can be called soft porn. These films can also be simply poorly dubbed versions of some low grade English or South Indian porn flicks. But for the desperate audiences, it doesn't matter what the film is about or where on earth it was shot. Some moments of “action” on screen and its paisa vasool for them.

The theatre structure need not be necessarily bad as sometimes even the famous old theatres due to financial crisis, take on to playing sleazy films. These aren't highly recommended places though, as the kind of experiences you might get there can't be described in this article. But still if you wish to have some wild and crazy experience, do give it a shot.

Video parlors: These aren't exactly theatres but a special arrangement made for mass viewing of movies in small halls that can even be an extension to someone's house. There are no projectors or screens but the movie is played on a television. A glass in front of the screen magnifies the visual for the audiences. These places have a seating arrangement of merely 20-30 people only. Censor laws do not apply for such video parlors and they usually play hardcore pornographic films or pirated VCDs of newly released films. You'll find such parlors only near slum areas where the screening of porn or maybe newly released films takes place illegally.

Ticket rates: Ranges between Rs. 7 to Rs. 25

So if you didn't know, India cinema halls have a lot more to offer. All you need to have is the adventure spirit and love for all kinds of films. Hope you tour and have fun at the different types of theatres in India.

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 movieRead More

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, 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.

Multiple screens Multiple screens theatres actually are primitive multiplexes which are far different from the current malls. These theatres are largely compartmented. The theatre has 4- screens. Each screen is a separate division, a separate theatre in itself, with its own entrance gates, Read More">cafeteria etc. A multiple screen theatre is more like an amalgamation ofRead More

Multiple screens

Multiple screens theatres actually are primitive multiplexes which are far different from the current malls. These theatres are largely compartmented. The theatre has 4- screens. Each screen is a separate division, a separate theatre in itself, with its own entrance gates, cafeteria etc. A multiple screen theatre is more like an amalgamation of three- four single screen theatres into one building. However, they aren't built in a shopping mall; neither do they have a very sleek ambience.

What made these places unique in the late 80's was the concept of multiple screens which offered the facility to choose the movie one wanted to watch. All flicks released that week and prior, play at the same place. Although, today it might not seem to be a big deal, few years back it was revolutionary. One realizes their importance only when - out of your extremely busy schedule, you manage to get an evening off to catch a good film with your family. You are all excited about the long awaited family outing but on reaching the theatre you learn that either the tickets are sold out at the single screen or the theatre changed the film yesterday to a sleazy sex comedy, which you definitely can't watch with family. The flick you came to watch is now playing at another theatre. The show there is at 6 pm, the theatre is 10 miles and your watch already shows 5:55pm. Scary? Multiple screens therefore, act as a savior in such situations.

Although their facilities aren't 'out of the world', the multiple screens even today manage to pull masses mainly due to their affordable rates. From inside, they are very similar to single screens. So, we'll describe Multiple screens together in the next subgroup, Single screens.

Ticket rates: ranging from Rs. 80 to Rs. 150 (depends upon the movie)

The moment you enter movie hall, you’ll see a mystic darkness. Glowing in the darkness are blue radium lights on the floor to guide your steps. Generally, every surface inside is velvet coated, the walls, the floor, Read More">etc. You can feel the chilled atmosphere and the soft musical score playing in the background. The seatsRead More

The moment you enter movie hall, you'll see a mystic darkness. Glowing in the darkness are blue radium lights on the floor to guide your steps. Generally, every surface inside is velvet coated, the walls, the floor, etc. You can feel the chilled atmosphere and the soft musical score playing in the background. The seats are as big and comfortable as an emperor's throne. The movie starts; you place your cola in the stand on the arm rest, stretch back comfortably and enjoy the movie. The Dolby sounds that gives a 360 degree effect is an added attribute.

The audiences as mentioned before arrive mostly in groups. Especially on weekends you'll find these big Guju families coming for movies with their 28 member family which comprises people of all ages and sizes. They consume 70% of the snacks in the theatre. Apart from them, if there are any kiddie movies playing at any of the screens, then better reschedule your plans. Because the misbehaved kids and their pampering moms can give you a tough time starting from the ticket counter, the elevator, the lobby, the food-bar. Try going for a Harry Potter flick, and notice the mistakes they keep pointing out, spoiling all the fun and their mothers who don't even know who Harry Potter is, take pride in this.

The groups of college students bring in some level energy at these places. And of course there is a fourth set of people, for whom I personally believe that concept of cinema halls was actually created. They are the love birds. You'll find the most hip looking couples in here, giving an impression that probably they just came out from the Levis poster. The girls especially look so hot that you wish if you could rather watch her for the next three hours instead of the stupid movie but her boyfriend's muscles scare you away.

One notable thing in multiplexes is that throughout the movie the audiences remain calm. Whether the movie sucks or is a blockbuster, audiences maintain silence like the British crowds at Lord's stadium. That's sophistication I guess. Quality wise this place is A grade but the audiences can be quite dry.

Ticket rates: Rs 150 to Rs. 300

Films, Bollywood, Stars!! That is what we talk about all the time. But in between all the glitz and glamour, stars and the banners, we tend to miss out the place where the actual action happens. The place where an unknown face can become a rage overnight, Read More">where an unexpected film can create history. TheRead More

Films, Bollywood, Stars!! That is what we talk about all the time. But in between all the glitz and glamour, stars and the banners, we tend to miss out the place where the actual action happens. The place where an unknown face can become a rage overnight, where an unexpected film can create history. The paradiso of every film maker, the movie theatre.

In a country like India where people are so religious about films, there is a variety of film theatres. Starting from the cozy Multiplexes to the Sleazy cheap halls, there is a variety of theatres one will find in this country. Each place has certain amount of uniqueness attached to it. So, if you are of the type who just likes to watch films at home, read through this article. Because in India, the theatre itself is a place full of experiences and film is an added bonus. So let's go on and take a look at the types of movie theatres in India.

Multiplexes

These are the newest kind of movie halls coming up in India on the lines of those in the western countries. Multiplexes are the theatres generally set up inside big shopping malls and obviously, have multiple screens with 5-6 movies playing at the same time giving a variety of options for you to choose from.

Usually people from middle and higher middle classes are seen at these theatres. They shop in malls, grab lunch together and then probably drop in for a movie. So, usually you will find many families and groups of young people coming for movies at multiplexes.

Talking about the interiors, the multiplexes have a decent ambience, decorated with the standees and posters of upcoming films. Everything looks neatly designed and well organized. The ticket windows are made up of big transparent glass panes. The ticket vendors are cute young girls who communicate through a mic and allow you to choose the seat you want from the computer screen. You won't find long queues at the ticket counters here. Besides, there is also a facility of booking tickets through phone or online. As soon as you enter the multiplex, you'll notice the beautiful ambience, the cool soothing air, the walls painted with cool colors, the decorative lightings and above all, the aroma of popcorns. The staff mainly consists of young boys and girls dressed in neat uniforms and well, they mostly speak in English. This place gives you a complete Royale feel.

Multiplexes have a large food-bar loaded with variety of snacks and drinks that cost more than double the market price. But then, the refreshments look so attractive across the counter that you finally fall prey to the temptation and ultimately end up spending a few hundred bucks on munchies and colas which later may not seem worth the price.