So I go to watch Salaam Namaste with a girl friend of mine all the way from Delhi to Noida because she insists she wants to take me there. Oh well I say, I’m up for it as long as you are with me:)
I was going to Noida for the first time, and was impressed atleast with Sector 18(where Centrestage Mall is located, and inside which is Waves). Best of all I liked the Mochas coffee joint outside the mall, but thats another review.
We reach at 2pm and book tickets for the 5pm show, because all other tickets are sold out. We have time on our hands and do general timepass. Half an hour before the movie starts, we join the long queue of ticket holders waiting to be ’’frisked’’ by the security guys. This is the part I most hated, and fail to understand. I have yet to be frisked by a guy in such a detailed manner. In fact you could call it a one minute instant massage than a regulation security measure. His hands cruised over 95% of my body, and I shudder to mention that that other 5% was tucked way beyond his reach(dont guess, I only meant my feet). To be honest, such frisking has not happened to me even in a goddam.n airport in many parts of the world I have travelled so far, so I wonder what is the need over here in a movie multiplex? I can understand that he asked me to put away my camera(god knows why), ciggarettes and lighter. What I cannot understand is why he let two others go in with the same contraband without any issues, just because he overlooked it? My friend was also subject to similar torture by a lady guard (I sincerely hope she was not attracted to people from the same gender, else she has the luckiest job in the world and for that matter, so has the guard who checked me). This of course, did not help in shortening the long queues for a movie in huge demand, and finally we all got in just as the movie was starting.
The movie hall was good, but our seats were quite in front so it wasnt very comfortable viewing. The location of the seats also eliminated any chances of me and my friend doing any personal Salaam and Namastes as the lighting from the screen was just too bright..LOL. The chairs were comfy, spacious and I specially liked the automatic sliding seat bottom(or whatever you wanna call it), which was something new for me. The ticket rates, of course were high compared to other Indian standards(Rs. 150 flat) but they were dirt cheap compared to multiplex tickets we buy here in Dubai(around Rs. 450 flat). The popcorn was bad, and was bought only to keep our mouths occupied from doing other interesting things(I meant chewing gum, you dirty minds)
I dont think they have a good online booking facility, so thats another down factor. Overall, its an OK multiplex if they can do away with such desperate, embarassing frisking procedures(Ok ok I’m sure they are scared of terrorists, but this kinda frisking would even give Osama Bin Laden some serious blushes)