I get a bit nervous when I sit down to write something here. Almost every blog I’ve written makes me feel like I’m too old, and the proof is that a lot of what I write doesn’t seem relevant or relatable to this generation. Thank goodness they only say, दाइ, यस्तो हुन्थ्यो र? (Brother, was it really like this?) instead of अंकल, यस्तो हुन्थ्यो र? (Uncle, was it like this?) 😂
This topic is another one of those.
There was a time when finding out about the latest movies was an adventure in itself, Unlike today, where trailers and social media updates are at our fingertips, back then, you had to relay on creative and sometimes unexpected ways to discover what was playing at the local theaters. This story takes you back to those days, filled with the charm of old projectors, shared film reels, and the thrill of finally getting your hands on much-wanted ticket. Change is inevitable, and the movie industry is no exception. The journey from a story’s inception to the theaters has changed a lot, and I can share some things from my limited knowledge. Keep in mind, I’m no expert this is just what I’ve witnessed personally.
Let’s start with a curiosity: what could be the next change? Let’s not mention the year read the first paragraph again to understand why 😂. I was studying commerce, and one morning while cooking lunch, I heard a loud announcement on a mic, which was normal in those days. I quickly grabbed my bicycle and followed the sound. After furiously cycling for about a kilometer, I saw a rickshaw with multiple mics and movie posters on the sides and back. That’s how I found out what movies were playing at the theater and decided whether to watch them.
If you miss that rickshaw, you need to roam around in the dedicated marketplaces and big walls to see posters of movies. The posters with tags like “चाँडै आउँदैछ”, “प्रदर्शन भइरहेछ” Coming Soon and Currently Running respectively
The concept of the movie pass I get know, the person, or a business owner, or any other busy place who is responsible to showcase the next change or currently playing movie poster in his/her area. It used to be like a pass book where you go to watch the movie and they write the movie name and put stamp on it.
The person making the movie announcements had a unique talent that you guys missed out on, and I’m sorry you’ll never get to hear it, probably. It was a bit like with the same tone of start of the song “Tamma Tamma” from the movie “Badrinath Ki Dulhania.”
Let’s set aside everything else and focus on that whirring sound of the projector in the background. That distinctive noise was the heartbeat of the movie experience, signaling to us that the film was about to begin. Unlike today, there were reels of actual film, carefully loaded by the projectionist. As the film started rolling, the projector would come to life, its mechanical parts moving in harmony.
Interestingly, the same reels were often shared by theaters, especially in remote areas or small towns. One theater would run the movie for a week or more, then hand the reels over to another theater in a different city. That’s how we waited for movies to come our way. Being on the eastern side of the country, we were often the last stop for those reels, which meant a longer wait to watch the latest films. But it made the experience all the more special.
The most challenging part compared to now was getting a ticket. You had to fight your way to the ticket window, which was usually just a small hole where only one hand could fit—but three or four hands at a time was normal. You’d hold enough money in your hand, and when the guy at the ticket counter touched your hand, you’d quickly say, “Four tickets for First Class (or Second Class, Balcony, Re-Balcony, Cabin) for 2, 3, 4,” and so on.
Yes, First Class, Second Class, Balcony, Re-Balcony, and Cabin were the different sections from where you watched your movie. Each section had different ticket prices. Interestingly, even if you managed to get tickets, there was no guarantee you’d get a seat. Sometimes you’d end up sitting on the stairs or right by the door to avoid blocking others’ views.
Did you know? Tickets were checked three times: first at the main gate to enter the theater, then at the door to your section, and once more while the movie was running. A guy would come around to check if you had a ticket, and if you didn’t, you didn’t belong there, buddy. Sorry. Tickets were that important.
To give you some context on ticket booking: when “Ghajini” was released in 2008, I went to Guna Cinema, where you could book or purchase tickets for the next show. Because so many people were there, it was pure chaos. The crowd got so out of control that policemen had to be called in to do a baton charge (लाठी चार्ज) to clear the area. Tickets were oversold beyond the theater’s capacity, and there was literally no place to stand. Because of this, Guna decided to sell tickets for “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi” for just 20 Rupees to divert moviegoers, while “Ghajini” tickets were 80 Rupees.
This is nothing but a wave of nostalgia. The story doesn’t end here. I will come up with more in the discussion where we will dive into the evolution from single screen theaters to multiplexes, the arrival of 3D movies and how seats and comfort have transformed. We will also explore the changing sound systems, the snacks and beverages that accompanies our movies and how the entire cinema experience has evolved over the years.
Stay tuned as we continue this journey through the cinematic changes and memories that have shaped our love for movies. See you in the next chapter
We used to skip college every Friday and go to Guna Cinemas. Good Ol Days
Wow what a beautiful representation of that time and moment👌🏻👌🏻, i time traveled 🧳 for a moment.
Brings back so many memories, running after those rickshaws dor free posters, sneaking out of school to watch movies. Good old days