This review is certainly not about the new movie Kung Fu Panda or an inspired one from it, you must be thinking I just chose some random words floating in my brain and put them up as a heading to make it more interesting. Well, if it is working.. anyways, read on to know more..
I have been visiting the Forum mall since its inception at Hosur Road, Kormangala. Forum offers you everything from shopping to entertainment to food. Even with around 650, 000 sq ft of space and parking of 300, 00 sq ft, weekends here makes it a tad dizzy experience and one might not even get parking space at this time. (Personally for me, such specific details of length and breadth bore me to death, but there are some people who find it interesting information, so it is for those L&B detail guys..)
The mall is well organized and it has 2 entrances - one next to Big Bazaar and the other opens up at the Raheja Arcade Circle. You are greeted by roadside vendors selling guavas and groundnuts and a lot of pesky autorick guys and a refreshing fountain- it is a kaleidoscope of human activity. On either side of the entrances, you can see a lot of couples hanging out, families relaxing, eating corn or ice-cream, and sometimes a girl or a boy waiting for their loved one. It certainly is a great place to just spend time and relax - only if you just hold on to your partner and not get lost in the crowd, (mele mein bhichad na jao tho).
There are adequate safety measures with the usual frisking and checking of baggage, CCTVs, etc., but one cannot forget the gruesome death of the 6-year-old Ahan at Garuda Mall. Even last Sunday when we were eating out at the food court, the sheer number of people in malls just gives me the creeps, especially in view of the recent terror attacks and all that. The least one could do is follow safety procedures and avoid lifts if overcrowded and take the stairs and hope no Al Qaeda or some other psycho group does not decide to make this their target. (My intention is not to scare you out of your wits, just trying to help you live till you get wrinkles and walking stick and all that, if you don’t have one already..)
(All this info is already there at the entrance, so don’t feel guilty to skip to the next paragraph..) The helpdesk at the entrance gives you a detailed map of the mall and personnel to help you with any queries you might have, so in brief, (well, I just remembered a joke here, guess will tell you later), apparels at level 1, level 2 casual wear, foot wear, etc., level 3 has the famous Landmark bookshop and food courts, and finally the multiplex at level 4.
Useful Info:
Forum Shopping Mall: Near Madiwala Check Post, Hosur Rd, Koramangala, Bangalore – 560095; Website: https://pvrcinemas.com; Contacts: 22067881, 22067882, 22067883, 41100787
Some Tidbits on PVR Cinemas:
- The movies screened in English, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Hindi.
- The Gold Class movies are a little expensive (600 Rs plus 150 for food and anything above is billed later) can give you a whole new experience in luxury. Each auditorium has fully reclining plush seats with enough legroom to relax and enjoy the movie and stewards to take your orders.
If in a splurging mood, can even book the auditorium for private screening and have a romantic evening.
Current Brands: West Side, Landmark, Adidas, Reebok, Cafe Coffee Day, Sangeetha, Wrangler, Pepe Jeans, Archies, etc.
Personal Experiences/Views:
West Side: I have personally never liked any clothes at West Side, especially salwars - they all seem like a mass production and I would hate to see someone wearing the same dress as I am, though it might not work all the time. My sisters tell me I should go for my own designer collection:-) (Will do as soon as get wealthier than Anil Ambani and give him a run for his money, PS: I have heard he runs 25 kilometers per day for exercise, wow!) The western collection seems better here. Currently, there is a sale going on probably till July 20th or month end, not sure of that. You really might get some good branded clothes at discounted rates at this time. So am sure all the shopping freaks (like myself) would be rushing to Forum very soon.
Landmark: It has a huge collection of books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, you can even just chill out and read a book, though finding a seat is quite difficult here. Contacts: PH: (080) 2206 7777 / 78 / 79
Transit: All kinds of foods from South Indian Darshini, North Indian, Mexican, Chinese, sea food, Thai, and great ice creams from Movenpick, Ilvero. I personally love Ilvero with their variety of ice cream flavors to choose from, though I mostly tend to choose chocolate. A common scene outside the Transit is kids pleading their parents to take them to the game zone which has all kinds of video games.
Firangi Paani and Sahib Sindh Sultan: Firangi Paani is a pub just next to Sahib Sindh Sultan (SSS). The one time I went there we booked in advance to avoid last minute disappointments- contact: 22067878. It is a slightly expensive (ranging from 900/- and above) bar cum restaurant in a complete colonial setting with mahogany woodwork and leather upholstery. It is quite a decent pub and open from 12 pm to 11 or 11.30 pm. SSS: Wee bit expensive but with good ambience and delightful food. Interestingly built like a train and the whole atmosphere including the waiters dressed like captains and the luggages and the hats placed overhead creates the “railway station look.” Contact: 22067878.
Some experiences and finally the unravelling of the mystery behind the Blue Shirt and Kung Fu Panda which inspired me to write this review –
- Our whole family had visited PVR long time ago and I was there playing with my nephew and simultaneously checking my messages on my fave Nokia 6610 and suddenly it was time for the movie to start and we all got up and went in. Just after 3 minutes or so I realize that my mobile is missing and I run back frantically to the steps near the ticket issuing area only to find it missing. Be very careful with your cell-phones and other valuables – I certainly learnt my lesson or so I would like to think.
P.S: See comments section for the rest of the review..