Ramoji Film City is the largest Studio/Film City Complex, as per Guinness Book and once you visit the place, you can realize that indeed it is. The complex is situated on the Vijaywada Highway and approximate distanec from various places in Hyderabad is as follows:
Hi Tech City : 50 Km
Abids/Koti : 35 Km
LB Nagar X Roads:15 Km
The timings are 09:00 - 06:00 pm and entry is not allowed after 02:30pm. Since the complex is vast, if you really want to enjoy and cover it all, make sure that you reach before 9:00 a.m. We went by private vehicle but I am informed that APSRTC City bus also run Koti Bus Stand at regular frequencies (which could take upto 1.5-2 hours to reach the venue).
Entry Ticket is Rs.500 onward and there is a convenient Credit Card booking counter (surprisingly, in today’s e-commerce age, the credit card counter was empty and there was a huge rush on the cash counters. Except Water bottle no edibles are allowed into the complex so make sure that you carry enough cash to buy the edibles. However, the management is kind enough to provide plenty of free drinking water taps across the complex, so drinking water shouldn’t be a problem. ==There are many food ==
options/restaurant available and it is reasonably priced, considering the monopolistic environment. Per person, lunch would be at most Rs.150-200 (on a higher side).
They have lots of shows inside the complex and some must watch ones are:
Filmy Duniya - Relaxed car ride through large animated studios
Stunt Show - Real Live stunts with bombs and bullets
Ramoji Action Studio - Live Film making tricks
Ramoji Tower - Rather funny than serious, a 4D studio
City Bus ride/Guided Tour - Guides are really really funny and the city is even funnier. One ought to watch how movie makers fool us with sets.
BoraSura - A supposedly horror ally but amusing
Opening/Closing Ceremony
In addition, there are rides, gardens and other miscellaneous places to go such as Wild West, etc. However, there are large queues for each show, etc. and you might end up lots of time just waiting. A good option would be cover all the shows first and then go for city tour in a fancy open bus. The
entire complex is very well maintained and lush green.
Despite so many places to explore, the management has been careless enough to not schedule the tour in such a way that one can easily cover all the shows. Ideally they could have planned the shows in a way that a visitor say entering at 10:00 could be given a schedule that he can cover all the shows,
but it is not the case.
By 5pm we were really exhausted and returned back home (without watching closing ceremony, which I believe would be same as opening ceremony).
Closing Note:
A must full day family outing (but tiring as well)
Reach early to enjoy it fully
Apply generous sunscreen, remember to take your caps, dupatta & umbrellas
For heaven’s sake, do not visit in Summers. We got burnt even in Mid December.
Do not forget to take your Camera/Video Recorder