Watching movies, a suite experience

The Maharaja Emperor Suite at Neelambur, which opens today, is plush and posh and has all the trappings of an elite club, writes K. JESHI

August 13, 2015 08:47 pm | Updated March 29, 2016 03:02 pm IST

The Emperor Movie Lounge at Maharaja Multiplex in Neelambur

The Emperor Movie Lounge at Maharaja Multiplex in Neelambur

Butterfly wall art pops out of the bright walls. A lounge is done up in yellow and brown. A billiards table sits alongside the foosball and air hockey tables. There is unlimited Wi-Fi… Another door opens and I step in to a world of luxury. I am at the Emperor movie suite at Maharaja Multiplex, Neelambur.

I sink into a leather sofa and watch actor Suriya singing ‘Naane Indhiran’ from Singam. The 35-seater movie hall ensures ultimate comfort for the viewer. The acoustics and digital projection are of superior quality. There are mobile charging stations for smartphones right next to your seats that recline at the touch of a button.

“Now, it’s all about the experience. People want their movie outing to be posh and exclusive,” says P. Sathiyamoorthy, managing director of Maharajah Theme Parks and Resorts in Neelambur, which is a 40-minute drive from the city.

The Maharaja Multiplex already has four screens (which can accommodate over 600 people) and the luxury suite is the latest addition.

He says a multiplex has to offer a neat ambience, good air-conditioning, and clean toilets to bring in the crowds. “We have seen a steady increase in footfalls. During weekends, almost all the shows are packed. Why not add more luxury?” he asks.

It was his experience at Gold Class Luxury Cinemas in Singapore that set Sathiyamoorthy thinking about doing something similar here. “We have seen luxury suites in big metros outside the state but, in Tamil Nadu, this will perhaps be the first. We want to promote this concept as a brand and attract the elite crowd. The outing can be an intimate family get-together, a birthday party or a corporate bash. Food can be ordered from the food court at the theme park,” he explains

Visitors to the multiplex come not just from Coimbatore, but also from Erode, Tirupur, Palladam, Salem and Dharapuram.

“I see a number of Audis and BMWs regularly at our parking lot, and there is a big chunk of the IT and corporate crowd…we are banking on them to promote the luxury suite. We have a huge area marked out for parking. Within a minute, they can be inside the movie hall. At malls, parking easily takes up to 30 minutes. Though we may be on the outskirts, we have advantages too,” smiles Sathiyamoorthy. He heads a bouquet of industries ranging from refineries, textiles to engineering and arts and science colleges. “We don’t mind closing industries that don’t take off. But, cinema will never die,” says the managing director who is also a film buff. “In my childhood, watching a movie was like a thiruvizha,” he remembers. “Be it Sivaji Ganesan or MGR, hero worship was big. We enjoyed the outings to watch our favourite stars. Even in the days when people are glued to television soaps, you have a Baahubali that has made Rs. 500 crores, and Bajrangi Bhaijan with Rs. 300 crores at the box office. People love to watch the movie on the big screen. We are here to add a touch of luxury to it,” says Sathiyamoorthy.

Looking ahead

This Deepavali, Maharaja Multiplex will open at Erode with four screens. Sathiyamoorthy has tied up — on a pilot basis — to renovate standalone theatres as multiplexes on a 10-year lease agreement. “It takes five years to build a new multiplex because of permissions and clearances. Renovations take three or four months. It helps revive old theatres and take the multiplex experience to more people,” he says.

More info

In Tamil Nadu, the maximum ticket rate is restricted to Rs. 120. A suitable ticket rate for the suite is being worked out.

You can request an exclusive and private screening of any film you might have missed.

Catch VSOP and Vaalu at the luxury suite this week

For reservations, call: 0422-6504128 or visit www.maharajamultiplex.in

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