What is this review about
’’Prarthana’’ contains two theatres, Prarthana Drive In and Aradhana. Aradhana is just a normal theatre, i.e. a theatre in a building.
This review applies only to the ’’Cars Only’’ section of Prarthana Drive In. It gives you a couple of tips and suggestions.
Prarthana Drive In also has a sheltered portion for people who don’t come by car. I have never been to this section.
Theatre Layout
It is something like a football field with goal posts on opposite ends. At one end (one goal post), there is a huge wall, onto which the movie is projected. This is the Screen. At the other end, there is building. This building houses the projector and a sheltered provision for around 100 people to watch the movie (something like the covered shelter for football spectators).
The in-between space (the actual football game area) is the car parking space. This is laid with tar, just like roads. There are parallel speed breakers running from one end to another (like the grooves in Lays Potato chips). These are called Ramps. If you position the cars front wheels over these ramps, your car would gain an upward tilt, and your head (most probably) would be positioned in line with the screen. A little to and fro adjustment of your car and seats would result in a proper view. There is ample space between these ramps (around 20 feet). There are speakers mounted on metal poles at equal intervals throughout the length of the ramps. The ramps are labelled A to F, A being the nearest to the screen. There is atleast 100 metres of space between the A ramp and screen.
The A and B ramps are reserved for small cars with low roofing, like Maruti 800, Indica. The C and D ramps would be occupied by tall-boy models, like Maruti WagonR, Voyager etc. The Bigger cars would be pushed to the last, like Scorpio, Qualis etc. Maxi Cabs, Tempos, Trucks, Buses, Road laying machinery etc are not allowed.
Where is it located?
The theatre is on the East Coast Road, approx 8 kms from Thiruvanmayur. You take the right on Madhya Kailash signal, and the left a little away from Tidel Park. Then you just go along the road, dont take lefts or rights on any intersection. This road will take you straight to Pondicherry. If you watch your left after 7 kms from Thiruvanmayur, you will find the theatre. There is a gate which says ’’Cars only’’. Take that.
Show Timings
Only two shows a day, 7.00 PM and 10.00 PM. I’ve never been to the 7.00 PM show. The ’’Cars Only’’ gate opens at 9.00 PM for the 10.00 PM show. There is a ’’Car Q’’ area, where you would wait in your car to buy the tickets. There are five rows separated by metal chains. The end of these rows are also blocked by chains. Somebody will be there to take the money from you and hand over the tickets. When its time for the show, the security opens up the chains guarding the rows. Then you drive into the theatre. Inside, a security guard will verify that a ticket has been issued for every soul in the car.
Ticket cost
Just released hot movies sell for 75 Rs a head. A week after the release, the prices come down to Rs 40 a head. Car parking costs Rs 15.
I am not very sure about children. I think you have to buy full tickets if your kid is 3 years or older.
Food and water
There is a fast food restaurant within the drive-in. 80% of the served food is south indian. Noodles, Fried rice, Chappatis are available. Food quality needs improvement. I have found their food to be too oily and costly. You also get juices and ice creams. A bowl of noodles or fried rice costs Rs. 40. Orange juice costs Rs. 20. Better take water with you. You can also buy packaged water. Aquafina 1 litre costs Rs. 15.
For people with restless kids
There is a small park within the drive-in, with swings and see-saw. Its well lit. In case your kids make too much of fuss, they can have fun while you watch over them.
Toilets
Gents toilet definitely needs cleaning. Ladies toilet???
Language
Tamil is the official language. Basic English is understood by the staff.
Safety
Its a pretty safe place. Most of the crowd is decent. The only people who come near your car are from the fast food, selling snacks or taking orders. You can spot the theatre guards and policemen quite easily in case you have some problem. You should watch over your kids because of stray dogs. These dogs roam around the premises in search of food. I have never seen them come too close. But exercise caution.
Contact numbers and movie info
The contact number printed on the ticket is 24491402. I get info on the movies running there via https://chennaionline.com.
Seating
You can be in the car. You can use chairs you brought along, or roll on the tar. You can take a matress and bask in the moonlight.
Tips & Things to watch out for
o Money. Take ample of it. Half a tank of fuel and 1000 bucks in cash would be a safe bet. ATM’s are rare, Credit cards are unheard of in these parts. Get yourself fully loaded in Thiruvanmayur itself.
o Fuel. Lots of refuelling points. Not a problem at all. Half-tank should be cool. This is because many a times I have felt the climate to be a bit warm and cooled myself with a few minutes of the car AC running.
o Speed. Keep the needle under 50 Kmph. Resist the temptation to floor the pedal. Suddenly, ten feet ahead of you, there will be a guy on a bicycle with his hand raised, showering his blessings on you. In reality, he is commanding you to do a 80 Kmph to 0 Kmph feat in 3 secs flat. Its a real test of your car’s ABS. And the guy in the bicycle dosen’t understand physics. Drive slow within the theatre. There are chains near the ticket counter. There are children playing around.
o Alcohol. Its prohibited within the drive-in. Dont load your car with crates of beer and drive into the theatre. The Right of admission is reserved by the theatre. Don’t drink and drive.
o Smoking. Is allowed. You can enjoy the movie smoking your favorite Rothmans Royals (or beedi).
o Pets. Are not allowed. They already have lots of pets (dogs) in the premises. Management dosen’t want your pet bitten by theirs. Anyway, you can enjoy with their pets (dogs).
o Food. You can take in your own food and water. Dont litter the whole place after you eat. Take a big cover with you, put all the left overs in it, and leave it near your car. An aged lady collects it after the interval.
o Mobile Phones. Keep them fully charged. You may need it in case your car breaks down when returning back at 1.00 AM in the night. I am with Airtel, and my mobile gives full tower in these parts.
o Tyres. Keep the spare tyre ready. Make sure that you carry the tyre replacement equipment, and a torch. When you have a flat tyre, East Coast Road is not a good place to develope your tyre changing skills. You should be putting your skills to good use. Although there are many puncture shops, their shutters are down at 11.30 PM.
o Retain the ticket with you till you reach home. If you leave before the show ends, the guard at the theatre will demand your ticket. Show it, and take it back. That road is heavily patrolled. Somebody may stop you and ask your ’’From’’ and ’’To’’ information.
o If you are going for the first time, take along somebody who knows the place, the route and the language (tamil).