This is from the era when only entertainment was 'Movies'. No Multiplexes, no 200 channel TV's, No road shows, No IPL's, No one day matches. So, the idea of Sunday evening out was, One: Visit Juhu Beach and eat pani puri, Two: Visit some boring relative, Three: Go for Friday release. 9 out of 10 times we voted for this option.Our Dad and Grand Father were also into movies in big way. Dad used to see at least 3 movies in a week. 2 Hindi & 1 Hollywood flick. But he had this very idealistic attitude for seeing movies. We will never buy a ticket in 'Black'.
Well, during those times, good movies were booked week in advance. On Monday, within 2 hours all tickets will be sold out. Black Marketeers will then sell few tickets in Black, during show time. 2 ka 4, means, you pay double rate for the ticket. Rs:20/- ticket will cost 40/- bucks! So this sign board of 'House Full' was the first sign which Lali & myself dreaded. As we will near cinema hall, our prayers will start, 'Please God, no House Full Board, please'. We knew the exact location of House Full board in every cinema hall which we frequented. And, believe me, sometimes, absence of this Board gave more joy then the movie itself!
Now once so happened, we very badly wanted to see the movie and there was no option but buy the ticket in Black. I purchased and told Dad, who was in Car waiting for me to return empty handed, 'We are in luck today, one guy had come to return those tickets, I got 5 for us!'
During the movie my soul kept cursing me, because this was first time I have played trick on my Dad and lied also. By the end of the Movie (Himalya Ki Goad Mein) I vowed never to buy ticket in Black, I have finished my stack of pocket money and not enjoyed movie even for one minute! Very bad deal.
This incident made me organized person. I learned to plan Movie week ends. The trouble of going and booking ticket one week in advance turned into enjoyable experience. The wait made the Movie more desirable and thrill of walking into Cinema Hall with 100 of disheartened movie goers envious look on you made all the trouble worth it.
Alas, today we do not get this opportunity.
by P G Dodeja
You forgot to mention that those very black purchaed ticket loyalists , enter the dark cinema hall in hushed whispers. Hear curses that threaten to touch the celing and ofcourse miss out on a chunky fifteen minutes of the film as well. Black is damned and those who frequent this territory. Gotta pay a price.Am glad you have great ticket buying ethics.
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