Last week, after a long time, we went to see a movie at a theater, not multiplex screen but at a good old theater. It was a very nostalgic and at the same time a disturbing experience.
We went to Sapna theater in Abids. Abids, for non-Hyderabadi readers, was an upper-class shopping area. When we were kids, it was an area we went to window-shop, couldn't afford to buy anything. The road used to be wide and neat. Sparse traffic and no hustle bustle as seen at Koti or General Bazaar. The stretch of road extending from GPO to Lepakshi and back. We used to stroll along without worrying about bumping into fellow shoppers, bikes, autos or cars. Have a fresh fruit juice, rarity in those days, and return home. Now with the advent of malls, it has lost its significance and importance.
Now, imagine a theater in the middle of this posh area. Huge ornate gates, trees in the complex and people waiting for the doors to open. That was Santosh and Sapna. Mostly, hindi movies used to play there. I remember seeing Baazigar with friends, Saudagar with my brother and 10 Commandments with my mother. These three movies stand out prominently in my memory, I am sure I have seen numerous other movies there. We would go and wait in queue for the ticket counter to open. No on-line bookings, and advance bookings only at 11am. There would be separate queue for ladies and usually less crowded. Another advantage with ladies queue was that one could buy more tickets. While men were allowed to buy 2-4 tickets at a time, for ladies the number was flexible. So we ladies were treated royally by our family members/friends accompanying us.
Once we get tickets and proceed to the lounge, the walls were filled with snap shots from the current movie and some coming attractions. Then the popcorn, samosa and cold drinks. Inside the theater, look for seats and settle down for the treat.
Last week, when we went it was a total let down. The road did not have any of its past grandeur. The wide road did not seem wide enough now, with so much traffic. The gates and the tree were intact, but the building looked forlorn. Not much of a queue, hardly any one was there to watch the movie. Inside it was dark and dingy. Walls were empty. Inside the hall was also dark, just few lights were switched on, energy conservation. As we occupied the seats, only select fans were switched on. The attender made a round, yelling at people to be careful with the seats as they were new. The entire scenario literally brought tears to my eyes. Samosas were cold and dry, cold drinks not cold. Movie was a disaster, not worth watching. And the screen, seemed so far away. The sound was average, at times drowned by the noise of the fans.
Where was all the pomp and show? Earlier movie-going experience was just that. Now it is shopping-cum-dining-cum-games-cum-movie experience. Multi-tasking has crept into our daily experiences. I miss those days of simplicity and relaxation.
We went to Sapna theater in Abids. Abids, for non-Hyderabadi readers, was an upper-class shopping area. When we were kids, it was an area we went to window-shop, couldn't afford to buy anything. The road used to be wide and neat. Sparse traffic and no hustle bustle as seen at Koti or General Bazaar. The stretch of road extending from GPO to Lepakshi and back. We used to stroll along without worrying about bumping into fellow shoppers, bikes, autos or cars. Have a fresh fruit juice, rarity in those days, and return home. Now with the advent of malls, it has lost its significance and importance.
Now, imagine a theater in the middle of this posh area. Huge ornate gates, trees in the complex and people waiting for the doors to open. That was Santosh and Sapna. Mostly, hindi movies used to play there. I remember seeing Baazigar with friends, Saudagar with my brother and 10 Commandments with my mother. These three movies stand out prominently in my memory, I am sure I have seen numerous other movies there. We would go and wait in queue for the ticket counter to open. No on-line bookings, and advance bookings only at 11am. There would be separate queue for ladies and usually less crowded. Another advantage with ladies queue was that one could buy more tickets. While men were allowed to buy 2-4 tickets at a time, for ladies the number was flexible. So we ladies were treated royally by our family members/friends accompanying us.
Once we get tickets and proceed to the lounge, the walls were filled with snap shots from the current movie and some coming attractions. Then the popcorn, samosa and cold drinks. Inside the theater, look for seats and settle down for the treat.
Last week, when we went it was a total let down. The road did not have any of its past grandeur. The wide road did not seem wide enough now, with so much traffic. The gates and the tree were intact, but the building looked forlorn. Not much of a queue, hardly any one was there to watch the movie. Inside it was dark and dingy. Walls were empty. Inside the hall was also dark, just few lights were switched on, energy conservation. As we occupied the seats, only select fans were switched on. The attender made a round, yelling at people to be careful with the seats as they were new. The entire scenario literally brought tears to my eyes. Samosas were cold and dry, cold drinks not cold. Movie was a disaster, not worth watching. And the screen, seemed so far away. The sound was average, at times drowned by the noise of the fans.
Where was all the pomp and show? Earlier movie-going experience was just that. Now it is shopping-cum-dining-cum-games-cum-movie experience. Multi-tasking has crept into our daily experiences. I miss those days of simplicity and relaxation.
We think you are habituated to watch movies in Multiplex theaters.You are so much vexed to let us know the name of the movie.
ReplyDeleteVery nostalgic indeed. Not only with movies and theatres, we feel about almost all the activities and ways of our present day life similarly!
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