Well, Why do you go to a multiplex to see a movie! You like the ambience( its ok at Inox) and you expect a better movie experience than an average movie hall. Well in that respect Inox is bad. In fact the way it is going it will shut down at Pune, if better alternatives come to the town.
Lets start from the basics:
Nobody can deny the long serpentine queue of cars that forms at the gate at the start of a movie show. Normal quarrels, discourteous guards and invariably 20 - 30 minutes of waiting before you enter the hallows of the multiplex and find a coveted parking space, not to mention the kingly parking attendants who almost do a favour to you by guiding you to the place. Welcome to a new kind of movie experience! You are almost ready for the ordeal.
Another queue at the Window. No seperate counters for people who have a tele/ Internet booking and general madness. I think even a lesser hall takes care that people who have booked thru internet or tele and have paid extra are shown this much courtesy.
You enter the hall. The show has to start at 5:10pm( As it is Harry Potter, it is naturally more crowded). The hall gates open up at 5: 15 pm promptly as the crowd is on the verge of . you know what!. Well you enter and what do you find. your seats are behind a wall just above the gallery to walk in( Seat no’s E1-E3, Cinema 2) . If you have a small child( 7-8 years) forget that he can see a movie. When you sit on the seat because of the presence of the wall you sit upright because there is space to put your legs in front and then you cant see the full screen because the wall is too high( I am 174 cms, not too short). My wife and child were horrified. My wife complained to the usher who promptly told her that the show is houseful and he cant help it. As the lights were dimmed, I went to the attendant and demanded some action. Promptly we were given three cushions, so the level was raised. As the movie started, as it was corner behind a wall, the place started getting heated up and I nearly fainted because of heat. My wife saw my perspiration and immediately raised an alarm and took me down. She demanded to see the manager and we were taken back to the Ticket Window. We went leaving our boy behind. Now look at the conversation:
W(Wife): PLEASE I HAVE A PROBLEM . Can you listen.
Bac1( Boy1 at counter) : Come in a line, madam
W: I have got up the from the show leaving my husband and son behind. I want to see the manager.
( The very helpful security lady steps in and speaks something in Marathi to the boy at the counter, who then nods and looked at the my wife in distaste)
W: See, these are the tickets. Our seats are behind a wall. The cushions that you gave dont fit. It is suffocating out there. Instead of creating a scene in the hall we have come to see you)
Bac1: The show is houseful. Sorry! Cant help You have to sit in those seats.
W: Then please give us a refund. This is ridiculous. We cant sit in a bloody( this is unfortunately the strongest swear word my wife uses) dungeon for 160/= per head.
( Bac 1 arches his brow threatingly and is joined by Bac 2)
Bac2: Well Shift, MADAM LET THE OTHER PEOPLE TAKE THEIR TICKETS.( He seemed to have learnt his manners with the bouncers at the nightclubs)
W: I wont shift till the time I get my refund or I speak to the manager.
(A lady in western formals now joins in)
LWF( Lady in Western Formals): Madam, Sorry the refund cannot be given as you selected the seats from the internet.
Now I join in
Self( Shouting): Where the hell do you indicate that the seat are behing a wall. You indicate aisles in the internet prototype of the hall, but what about dangers like sitting behind a wall. We have a small child He cant sit or see the screen even with the cushions. Or you dont care. I will click pictures of the seating arrangements and file a case in consumer court.
( This shouting has visible effect and people start joining us)
The LWF steps back talks on phone and comes to the counter. The refund is made
LWF: WELL EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THERE IS A WALL IN FRONT OF THOSE SEATS( Since they forgot to advertise it I am doing it on their behalf)
W: Sorry Madam we are new to Pune, next time will be careful before coming to Inox.
EndGame: Our son who was in tears was picked up from the hall and we went to the car park. We sat down in the beautiful garden of the multiplex where I could retain my composue as by then my heart was pounding. The LWF came to me and asked politely whether I needed something. So nice of her!
We proceed to AdLabs and see the movie there.
Well People! Take your armours out. Enjoy the trip to Inox Pune.