Jan 09, 2008 04:33 AM
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My kid refuses to believe that when I was his age, many cinema halls were without AC, the tickets cost a mere Rs. 5, and the audio visual effect was as good as watching a giant television with maximum volume. The bucket seats, the'special' class at the bottom, the upper class in the balcony, ocassional shadows on the screen when someone would shout: "Aye! baitth jaa." and yes, the power cuts in between with whistles and boos galore.
All that has changed. And how! Think cinema halls nowdays and your mind gets inundated with visuals of multiplexes where tickets cost a fortune and every popcorn you spill on the floor reminds you of your hard earned money. There is no more segragation of the'special' class and the elite. All are equals and pay the same amount for a show. Accept it, watching a movie in a theatre today is as demanding as it is entertaining.
When we heard that the 8 screen PVR was being constructed near our residence in Noida, we were elated. It would give us a chance to rush and book our tickets in advance, watch late night shows and return home walking down the street. Ah! I couldn't wait. We had only one option in sector 18 - Waves cinema, till then. And I am not counting the primitive'Alka cinema' which showed nothing beyond the'pyaasi' and'jawani' fare.
So the day arrived. I don't exactly remember which was the first movie we saw there. But it was a great luxury to start from home 10-15 minutes before the scheduled start of the movie, park our car in the open parking area adjoining the multiplex and head upstairs. I need to mention that the ticket counters of PVR Noida are very conveniently located. The fares are clearly displayed on boards in front of the counters. It costs anything from Rs. 50 to Rs. 150 depending on which day of the week and what time of the day you decide to watch a movie.
Weekdays(Monday to Thursday)
Before 12 Noon - Rs 50 per head.
12 Noon to 5:59 pm - Rs. 110 per head
6 pm onwards - Rs. 140 per head
Fridays:
Before 12 Noon - Rs. 70 per head.
12 Noon to 5:59 pm - Rs. 110 per head
6 pm onwards - Rs. 150 per head.
Saturdays and Sundays:
All shows - Rs. 150 per head.
PVR Gold class - Rs. 500. Thats what I hear. Please read the experience of our fellow MSian on the same. I hear they provide you blankets too. Have money, will spend! No issues. Before you get a blanket for heaven, why not try some heavenly experience on earth itself? Go ahead, Pamper yourself.
My work allows me to be able to watch in almost all the timings listed above. No, I don't work as the gatekeeper. But I have seen the shows before 12 Noon at Rs. 50 too. And if its a Chak De! or a Jab we met(Both of which we saw in morning shows), its always house full. You can see housewives, old age couples and kids thronging the theatre. Again, because of the densely populated residential areas around.There are some schools around too. And kids are tempted to bunk classes and watch movies. But if you are one, you won't be allowed entry in the spice mall housing the multiplex as per the rule.
The frisking by the security before you enter the mall and then the hall arena, may be mandatory and its fine. I found it more lax compared to the one at Waves cinema in Centrestage mall in sector 18. Wifey dear tried so many times to smuggle in some snacks and chocolates in her purse but always had to submit them at the security at Waves. Here, she almost everytime manages it. After the initial nervousness she had, she now walks in with the confidence of a suicide bomber and not to mention successfully! You can try it, but at your own risk.
The snacks and drinks at the counter cost a fortune as I wrote earlier. But still I see people rushing out during intermission and carrying their trays inside. No issues.
Yes, the seating arrangement is hassle free. Alphanumeric, starting with A in front of the screen and leading upto R(or is it S?) in the back. Even the front row isn't as bad. You do have ample leg space but I would have loved it if they had the option to lift the handrest in between the seats like Waves cinema has. Our little one hates this arrangement. He has n number of questions while watching a movie over the cast, story, situations, dialogues, songs etc and he hates sitting in our laps and asking the same.
I must mention that they also have proper Fire emergency plan map outside.
Although the screening is more often without any technical glitches, I recall one nightmarish experience though(which alone takes away one star in the rating). While we were watching'Johnny Gaddar' and specially the most important turning point in the movie - the train sequence, the power went off not once, not twice, but four times(!) to bring back memories of the old time cinema halls. We almost contemplated complaining but then left it.
Coming to another essntial part of any multiplex. The loo. I am happy that PVR takes into account the height of the people as well and knows that the outlet can be anywhere from 1 feet above the ground(in my kid's case) to. well anywhere! As its mandatory, my kid loves to rush to the loo in the intermission and at times even before to run around and use the lavatory.
This PVR claims to be the only'EIGHT SCREEN' multiplex in NCR. I have not checked the facts. With ADLABS coming in sector 18, the competition is going to hot up. But as long as I stay where I stay right now, I would have the luxury of leaving home minutes before the scheduled start.
Did someone ask how to get there?
Didn't I already tell you its 10-15 minutes away from my house.:)
