Have you ever had to stand outside a movie theatre waiting for the ushers to clean up as the crowd from the previous show disperses. And if you are really unlucky, you would also hear, 'Yaar, SRK maar jata hai, yaar'
Finally when you enter the huge chilly room, you are directed to your seat by the point of a flashlight. Seating in your seats, waiting for the feature film to start, you maybe discuss the various reviews you have read or heard from your friends. This discussion finally ends with everyone agreeing that the critic was paid to give the movie a 3/4/5 stars.
Soon the theatre starts to fill in with a variety of groups and people. The friend circle probably come to enjoy after a long exam, the private couples probably come to do you-know-what amd there are the families which come together for 3 hours probably because the children were not allowed to go out with their friends.
The screen is now showing a series of advertisements to entertain the audience while they keep on waiting. Well, someone must tell the managers that people do get mobile network inside the hall.
It's now time for the... wait, not the movie... it's the most coveted Vicco Vajradanti ad, customary as much as the Indian National Anthem. And if there are a group of bored teenagers present, then you are in for an impromptu sing-along.
A sigh of relief is heard as the national anthem begins. 52ish seconds later we take our seats again just as the lights get dimmer and ultimately vanish.
The movie has started and we hope for no futher activity until the interval.
Beep. The cellphone displays a new message. It goes something like this:-
Friend: Where are you?
You: Watching ________.
Friend: Ohh enjoy! Btw, its such a shitty movie.
Such a cheerful friend. So, back to the movie after a minor disruption.
Well if you made it till the interval, good job. Now get ready for a serious discussion about how overpriced the food is and no matter how vigorous or noteworthy the talk is, you end up buying a bucket of popcorn and a can of coke.
The movie resumes. After some fight scenes and same number of songs, comes the happiest part... The End. The credits start rolling, you get up and stretch your legs and hands, sometimes pass a few comments about the film and then get ready to disperse. If you still see people seated, then you are either watching a Marvel movie or a Bollywood movie with a sleazy promotional item song. For your sake I hope it's the former.
As your pupils slowing constrict to adjust with the influx of light, you think, 'I should have just downloaded the torrent.'
YOU ARE READING
The Typical Cineplex Scene
Non-FictionI recently went to watch a typical Bollywood movie and as usual my mind wandered off to the little details that we all see but never take notice. This is my take on how we spend our time at a movie theatre.
