Watching Movies..Now and Then..

I remember the first time when the I-Max theater opened in Hyderabad, I  loved the clean environment, sophesticated ticket booking and more importantly the smell of popcorn, cookies and coffee. I thought, wow..this is so great. Ticket was Rs. 150 at that time and I thoughts its worth every penny. I thought now we can go to movies like in US in a nice clean environment.

 

Now, few years from there, I am kind of tired of malls and the big movies.  For one the exorbitant ticket prices on the weekend, along with that the popcorn, coffee..or foodcourt costs, and the crowd.

I miss the old theaters.

 

In Vijayawada, which is my home town, we had almost 30 theaters 20 years back. That was our favourite pass time as a family. Going to movies every now and then. In fact people in certain cities of Andhra will be movie buffs. ( There could be few exceptions :-)). At that time, if 6 people need to go for a movie it would cost only Rs. 150+ 50 - Rs. 200..for excellent balcony tickets and good snacks and tea. Now compare that to a PVR /any multiplex,  It costs almost Rs.3000.

 

Its painful. Now when I compare and see my maid /cook needs to work through out the month to get Rs.3000, it kind of pinches me.  Also the food courts are so expensive. I remember few years back when I landed in Bombay airport from US, I was just so amazed by the rate of an idly. I thought Rs. 150 for an idly - too much. Now I see these rates are accepted and paid for in Food Courts in various multiplex, without even the quality that is some what guaranteed at the Airport. Also the various varieties and the quantity of the food displayed at various outlests, almost makes me hate food atleast temporarily.  It makes me wonder how much and what kind of food people want to eat.

 

Needless to say, I lost the charm I initially had for the multiplex. I go for very selective movies, but most of the time I prefer them to watch them on TV even if it is few weeks later. Anyway with the new funda of multiplex, producers are earning their bit quickly and the movies really does not take lot of time before they appear on TV as a premier show.

 

However, some times as I end up going for a movie and shell out these exorbitant amounts of money and come home a bit exhaused being with a crowd and also sometimes in a closed environment where A/C may not function properly. Ofcourse atleast I feel better when the movie is good , like today.

 

And here is what I have decided, whenever I spend on a movie, 10% of it I will set aside for some charity. I will increase this %, and open an RD pobably , so it gives me some satisfaction.

 

As I just got back from a movie, thought will pen down my thoughts.

On a side note, I still love watching good movies.

Happy movie watching. :-)

 

Aruna.

 

 

 

Tirunelveli Halwa - A Story

I was taking a bal chetana shivir ( free yoga/pranayam course for children) few days back at Banglore. It was organized by a beautiful couple I met recently, Harish and Seema. As the course progressed, I shared with the children the following story of mine ( which happened few years ago) ,on the last day of the course.

"Once I was at the Ashram and I was rushing for lunch. Meanwhile, I saw a lady carrying lot of luggage with great difficulty. She was going towards old ashram which is a detour for me. Neverthless seeing her struggle, I helped her till her Kutir and said "Jai Guru Dev". She said wait a minute , searched through her bag and pulled out a sweet packet. She insisted I accept it. That was "Tirunelveli Halwa". She told me its a special halwa you get near Chennai and she was carrying few packets for the Ashramites. And I said in my mind "Wah Guruji" and remembered what Guruji says " Seva karoge tho meva milega". That day I had a sweet tooth and craving for sweets from the morning. :-)"

So I concluded the 'bal chetana' course with this story followed by dinner with the children. As I was about to leave, Seema the host of the course gave me a token of love for taking the course. With her permission, I opened the gift. Can you guess what it is?

"Tirunelveli Halwa" nicely packed. Seema had no idea I was telling this story on the last day and we are in Banglore not Tamilnadu. You think its a coincidence? :-)   Well.. Jai Guru Dev.