With the large number of movies across various genres in store for summer release, movie buffs will no doubt be rushing across various cinema halls in the city. Abdulla Aamir Hamza swears by movies. And he prefers watching them at the many local cinemas Hyderabad has. “Watching movies in local theatres is an altogether different experience. The idea of enjoying the movie with a very lively audience, and the low fare are some reasons why I prefer the local cinemas,” says the 23-year-old aspiring film-maker.
With 135 registered single-screen theatres, Hyderabad has more non-multiplex theatres than any other southern city. It also has 35 multiplexes, giving its citizens an ample choice of screens to watch their favourite movies. From Prasad’s IMAX, which houses the world’s largest IMAX-3D screen to the nondescript Geetha theatre in Chandanagar, people can grab a movie ticket on the very first day of its release, for ticket prices varying from Rs. 250 to a paltry Rs. 20.
That women and children frequent local cinemas might come as news to many. Hamza says that he was amused to find the audience comprising mostly women and children in areas where cinema viewing is traditionally considered a sin.
Hyderabad also eludes the notion that multiplexes lead to the destruction of local cinemas. “As local cinemas have an entirely different audience compared to multiplexes and vice-versa, there is no competition with one another. In fact, both multiplexes and local cinemas can co-exist,” says Srinivas, who works at Cineplus Multiplex, Kukatpally.
Hamza agrees and says, “I prefer watching films like Ship of Theseus and Bombay Velvet at a multiplex. Such films are intended for a niche audience. People who watch movies in local cinemas mostly belong to the working class and may feel alienated with the content of such movies. If your intention is box office success, your movie should connect with both local and multiplex audiences alike. Blockbusters like Chennai Express and Happy New Year , which have the presence of a superstar like Shah Rukh Khan, prove the same.”
Dinesh Kumar, who runs a juice shop in Lingampally, says cinema halls in the city are affordable and better maintained compared to those in other cities. “I’ve worked in many States. When it comes to movies, I prefer to watch in Hyderabad’s theatres because they are cheap and in good condition.”
And where does he prefer watching his movies? “I usually go and watch films at Geetha theatre near Tolichowki, especially because it still follows the traditional practice of the curtain unfolding to reveal the screen gradually. This brings in some nostalgia and the whole experience is at an affordable Rs.30,” he says, adding the last movie he watched there was Bang Bang . “I saw it a month after it was released, and there was still a huge crowd waiting for tickets.”
Whether it is mainstream or alternative cinema, Hyderabad audiences can revel in the luxury of wide choices they have.
