One of the best things that can happen in life is when something unexpectedly wonderful occurs, without prior planning or expectation. Then, my age was not eligible to plan anything, anyway. These unpredicted moments can bring us immense joy and happiness, sometimes and often leaving us grateful for life’s unpredictable nature. Sometimes, the best experiences are the ones that we never could have predicted or planned for and remains in our core memory for life. This story of my first experience of a movie in a theatre is no less.
Well, I don’t remember the year, and even if I do, I am not willing to say it. Let’s say I was in class 6. I and my younger sister went to a relative house (BTW, this is the same house, where I watched the first Nepali movie, Anyay as I mentioned in one of my previous posts Sorry Other-wood). Meet Roshan, my friend, my brother and my guru. I met him there and we became like instant buddies. He is a bold and fearless guy. He is someone I cannot be at home, he is that guy. After a couple of days spent there, he asked me if I want to go to a movie. I quickly replied, NO. Joking!!!! 
I said, YES. Very quickly.
But, the problem was, we both had no money. Quickly, he gave me an idea of how it could be arranged. He said, “since, you are a guest here and a kid, you can ask for some money and tell them you want to go to a movie”. I am sure they will give you some money because they love you and won’t say No to you. Sounds like a plan, right?
Okay, I asked him, how much should I ask for? He quickly did the math using his fingers, counted, and said Rs. 20 each would be enough for us. OK, I replied.
The excitement of going to a movie in a theatre turned me into a bold and brave guy. HELL, No, but a shameless guy.
I walked to one of the uncles in the house and told him that I wanted to go to a movie with Roshan and for that I needed Rs. 20. After a small discussion/negotiation he agreed to give us the money. 3 sisters (Including Roshan’s two sisters) had to go together in order to be allowed. Fine, we said. There is no substitute for experience. Uncle gave us a little more than we asked for.
We are going to Birtamode for a movie instead of Bhadrapur. Roshan changed his plan while walking towards Chandragadi. However, our 3 sisters decided to watch the movie “Roti Kee Keemat” in Bhadrapur, three sisters went to Bhadrapur. Roshan and I after walking for an hour we went to Lekhnath Chowk, Chandragadi and from there we rode to Birtamode by bus (sorry, I don’t remember the bus number ). I had no idea about the route, the movie or any theatre for that matter. I was just following Roshan blindly. As soon as we got off the bus we ran towards the theatre. Maybe, getting late, I had no idea.
Presenting the
Shiva Talkies, Sanischare Road, Birtamode
Jhapa Nepal.
As far my memory holds, a very old building made of wood. Looks like a warehouse turned into a theatre. Roshan told me we should go to the entry directly since it will be cheaper for us to do so. I nodded yes, having no prior knowledge of what he was saying, nor did I have any references. I discovered later that the person who checks the ticket takes less money than the ticket price and lets us in. For both of us, it costs Rs 12.
The theatre was full of audiences, low light and hot as hell. I saw a group of people sitting upstairs. Roshan told me, “that is a balcony”. It is expensive to watch from there, he added. We were searching for 2 empty seats. A guy with a torch came to us and showed us the seat. Wait, he told us, only some of the front row seats are empty. Front row, almost 10 feet in distance from the screen. We sat and settled. Now, I can see the big white screen in front of me and it is so huge. It is possible that my tiny mind compared the screen size to the 13-inch TV at home.
Lights dimmed, the screen is on and the sound of the reel, a projector noise. I am having butterflies in my stomach and the countdown begins 10, 9, 8…… 1. PLAY!!!
Damn!! The screen was so huge and I was amazed that the people on the screen looked 20 times larger than how we look in the real world. When the hero entered, people turned crazy. All I could hear were cheers, whistles, and laughter from the audience. This excitement made my overall experience grand. What is going on? When we watch a movie at home, dad doesn’t let us talk, and here you are free to shout. Amazing!!! My first time watching a movie in a theater has transported me to a world of adventure and excitement that I have never experienced before.
I was enjoying everything when the lights turned on and the screen shut off suddenly.. Wait what just happened? The movie is not finished yet. What is going on? I asked Roshan. He replied, “Interval”. Again, no idea. Then he took me to eat some snacks, ok this is what the break is for, but I kept wondering when it was going to start again.
Oh!!! The bell rang. This means the interval time is over let’s get inside. Continues my exciting first experience of watching in a theatre.
Here comes the end part. My first experience of watching a movie in a theatre was an unforgettable one (Do I need to say this? Writing this after 2 decades). Well, I cannot say there was no stopping after the first theatre experience because it took a couple of years to sign up for the second one. Interestingly, the second movie in the theatre was the same as the first, the Nepali movie, Gopi Krishna first and the second movie in theater. Second time it was in our village of Bahundangi, in a newly opened movie theatre, all the expenses were sponsored by our home tuition teacher.
I remember watching jai vikranta in hall, that was my first movie in hall. But i dont remember any details 😅.
Amazing story dady and good night 🥰🥰 – Rubansh Khadka
Wonderful writing, you made me recall my first experience of watching a movie in a theatre .