Navigation

Vashi2Panvel.Com: Navi Mumbai: February 18: Just about a few months back amidst much fanfare, Navi Mumbai witnessed the opening of the first-of-its-kind ‘digital cinema hall’ – Fun Square at Sanpada railway station, giving the area its new landmark. Given the existence of Meghraj multiplex at Vashi and the upcoming multiplexes near Vashi railway station and at Khargar, Fun Square definitely went against the multiplex culture that is evolving and increasingly becoming the norm. It was touted to be an enterprising alternative to Meghdoot and Meghraj for the movie goers of Navi Mumbai. The 100 something seater hall promised a new experience of watching movies with enhanced digital quality. But has it lived up to the hype and expectations? Or for that matter are people even aware of its existence?


“Digital theatre? What’s that? I only know about Meghraj in Vashi”, says SYBCom student Ali Shiekh. Sanpada resident Sneha Joshi claims to know about the place but has never been there. “I’ve heard it’s a cool place to freak out with friends”, she adds. Her views are echoed by TYBMM student of SIES College, Sagar Mahendroo who says, “Youngsters and college students like us constitute majority of the crowd”. However, Nerul resident Mr Sayed Peer claims to have had a very annoying experience. “It’s not fit to be a place for families. I went there with my family and was highly embarrassed by the ugly comments passed on by the hooligans. They not only are a dampener to the atmosphere but also spoil the fun of watching a movie”, he quips. An engineer by profession, Vashi resident Ankit Baphna also holds a similar opinion. “Sanpada being a labour class area, one cannot expect a very sophisticated crowd. It’s not my kind of ambience, I prefer not going there”, he adds.

The woes of Rohit Shrivastava are however different. The screen apart from being small is placed slightly to the right side making viewing a bit uncomfortable for those sitting on the left. Also the interval time snacks that forms an integral part of watching a movie is very sad out here”, he says.

But owner of the digital Cinema hall refutes such charges. He feels that the place is apt for everyone and he has not come across any complaints as yet. “I don’t understand how you can say such a thing? It’s a theatre and people come here to enjoy so they will pass remarks, blow whistles and have their share of fun the way they like it. Besides, we have different seating areas for family. As far as the crowd is concerned, what kind of crowd do you expect for Rs.50?” he asks.

By Wasim Sayed