Fame multiplex for the movies

The real world has never appealed much to me. I live for the movies. Comedy, action, drama, tragedy, songs, dance music — all packaged for my viewing pleasure.

Bollywood rocks (okay, some Hollywood too) and now here’s a movie theatre that finally matches the slick standards of today’s film-makers. At the site of the old Lido cinema, Fame comes with the heavyweight backing of Shringar Cinemas, who’ve distributed films like Shrek 3 and Eklavya. Like the movies, the theatre’s larger than life: All of 30,000 sq ft. Four screens, each showing the latest releases. And seating capacity for nearly 1,000 star-struck fans like me!

Once the ads end and the screen widens invitingly, though, I could be in my own Gold Class world. Swish pure-leather recliners that go back 150 degrees. (For twosomes who prefer cootchie-cooing to running around trees, there are couple-recliners too. And family-size ones for those who can’t leave the kids behind. Those are firsts for cinemas anywhere in India!)

There are blankets and pillows for the asking. A state-of-the-art projection system, which makes Hrithik look even more delish. And digital sound with a three-way surround system that makes those dialogues sharper and clearer than ever before.

What’s more, Fame makes movie-viewing pleasurable even before I enter the cinema. Weekly e-newsletters update me on the new releases so I can book my weekend tickets early. I can also block tickets with an SMS or on the landline.

Just so I can enjoy the drama in reel life.

Fame Lido, Lido Mall, next to Ista Hotel, off MG Road, Ulsoor, Bangalore 8. Tel 40614848. www.famecinemas.com. Tickets from Rs 80-160 (premier) and Rs 200-350 (gold); recliner charges extra for premier class. Two theatres offer Gold Class seating.