Multiplex seems to be the next big thing in Bangalore. Not too many years ago, PVR dominated the scene with almost no competition from Innovative Multiplex. But in last few years, Inox, Vision, Fun and Fame multiplexes have came into existence. Latest in the list is the Fame Cinemas in recently opened Forum Value Mall in Whitefield. After Lido and Shakarnag Chitramandira, this is 3rd installment of Fame Cinemas in the city.
I’ve not been to previous 2 Fame Cinemas. Reason being they both are Rs.60-70 in auto away from my house. And second their ticket price never tempted me enough. At same, or lesser, price I can watch a movie at PVR or Inox Jayanagar(closer to my house). Now, many would wonder how(or rather why) did I ventured into Fame Cinemas in Whitefield, which is far from almost everybody’s house in Bangalore.
The reason is simple. It was a weekend. Saif and Deepika starrer Love Aaj Kal was running to packed houses all over the city. And cashing on the craze the movie had generated, cinemas in the city had raised the ticket prices to the hilt. When every other option looked feeble, I thought of this new outlet of cinema. Their website is a little awkward(I had to register to see movie timings), but I liked what I saw. They were running 14 shows of Love Aaj Kal(yess 14 shows in a day) and ticket prices were Rs. 120.00 for Premium and Rs. 140.00 for Silver on a weekend. I am still unsure about the logic of naming convention. You invariably tend be see Silver as the second best, but here its more costly. Well… 14 shows a day, cheapest tickets in town, latest mall in the city, nothing else to do. And we(4 Friends) were at Fame Cinemas, Forum Value Mall.
If “first impression is the last impression”, then Fame Cinemas had scored six on the first ball of the match. The cinema looked modern from the outset. And then there was this very convenient ticket vending machines like PRV. I wonder why can’t all cinema hall have it. Inox has something similar, but its more tedious than standing in the queue. We were a bit late so could manage to get the front row seats only. But at Rs. 120.00 it didn’t hurt much. The waiting area had a rich feeling to it. There were enough stuff at the snacks counter as well. But we hurried straight into the audi(we were late, remember). A rather small audi it was. But we didn’t feel cramped or suffocated. Oooo… The red velvet, high seats were best I had seen in Bangalore. Like most of the things, the seats had a rich look and feel. And the seats are high. Your head will rest comfortable on the head rest and you can be rest assured that the person behind would not be able to see your head. The height of the chair overshoots your height.
The pain of sitting on the first row was already dampened by low ticket prices, it went even low looking the architecture of the audi. The front row as conveniently distant from the screen. You don’t have to pain your neck to watch the screen. And then the screen was sized just right. It wasn’t so huge that sitting on the first row you can watch only one actor at a time. And it wasn’t so small either that you get the feeling that you are watching at your home theater. It was just right. You could see the whole screen without moving your head in any direction.
It started with an video of promotion of Fame Cinemas, with many celebrities praising the quality of Fame. Then came the best part. A message appeared which urged to stand up in respect of the National Anthem. We thought it was just a general suggestion. But then next moment on screen was, Bharat Bala Produced, A. R. Rehman composed and sung by the best voices of India, our National Anthem. The torch-man left the seat searching, faced the screen and stood in attention. And so did every single soul in the auditorium. It was so heartening to see everyone standing still where they were, till the anthem was over. I guess last time I sung the Nation Anthem was in school, some 10 years ago. Boy…! They had waked the patriotism in me(and I guess many others). Now everything about the multiplex seemed perfect. Now they were the best cinema people in the country. They had mixed country’s 2 of the biggest passions, Cinema and Patriotism.
Don’t worry, the comments are not that of an emotionally charged Indian. I was still in my senses. J
They started the movie without trailers(that’s bad). Like most of the modern day cinemas, they employ a clear Dolby Sound and neat projection system. The songs which sounded ok on TV were sounding great. My friends had got the pop-corns so I am not sure how much it costs. Overall it was a good movie experience and the long distance from house never pinched. The only thing that may deter audience for now is a little distance from mainland city and poor connectivity. Once these things are sorted out, I am sure this place would take off.
The aggressive ticket pricing looks to me a marketing strategy. Even Fun cinemas had started with Rs. 100 on weekend ticket, today they are costlier than PVR. I suspect this Fame 5 screener is a also destined to be costlier as soon as it has established itself in the minds of Bangalore’s movie goer. Grab your share before that.