BY MAHADEV DESAI

Of late, I have stopped either renting or buying DVDs of Bollywood or Hollywood movies. Instead, I order it online and watch it in the comfort of my home. It was past midnight when I finished watching Clint Eastwood’s latest ‘Gran Torino’. When I entered my bedroom, my wife was already fast asleep.  I too floated into dreamland the moment I hit the bed. I dreamt that I was sharing a cup of masala chai with my Gujarati college-friend Raju from Rajkot. He had spent a year in Atlanta in the early nineties, and then moved to Miami.  He had relocated in Atlanta and obtained my contact address through our friend Jagdish. In my dream I was narrating the plot of Gran Torino to Raju, who is a Clint Eastwood fan.

When I finished doing that I asked him, “Raju, I know you prefer Hollywood to Bollywood, but have you tried watching a Bollywood movie like 'Veer Zaara' or ‘Swades’ or 'Jodha Akbar' in one of Atlanta’s cinemas? “ Raju began laughing. “Do you know why I don’t like going to the cinema to watch Indian movies? Let me pour you some more tea” He filled my cup with piping hot tea and recounted his first and only visit to a cinema in Coral Springs, Florida in1994.   

“On that Sunday afternoon, Raju was at a loose end.  He had heard his friends speak of the local cinema.  On a number of occasions, they had invited him to accompany them to watch an Indian movie at that Cinema, but every time he had politely declined them.  He rather preferred watching videos of American movies in his apartment.  In his young days, he had seen a couple of Indian films but he had been confused by the complexity of the plot, intertwined relationships of the characters, etc.  He had almost given up on Indian films.  But today was different.  Sheer curiosity impelled him to visit the Cinema.  He didn't know the name of the film or the time of the show, so he thumbed through the yellow pages and dialed the number.  It kept ringing but no one answered. He cursed his luck, noted the address of the cinema and got in his car. In his anger, he missed a turn, pulled up at a Texaco gas station and asked for directions.  The attendant looked at the name and address and shook his head. “Never heard of it. But I think it might be in the opposite direction, near the K Mart." Raju got back in his car and made a U turn on the road. A passing car honked at him. He made a rude sign. He nearly got booked for speeding. Luckily he saw the cop's car in his rearview mirror, slowed down and let it overtake his car. Finally he found the Cinema. It was located in a corner of the shopping mall. It looked as if it could do with some renovation and a coat of fresh paint. It appeared that he was the first to arrive.  It was 8 p.m. He parked his car and walked towards the ROXY Cinema. The letter R had fallen off so the fluorescent sign read OXY Cinema! He looked for a poster showing the name of the film, names of the film stars, timings of the show etc. Lucky! He saw two posters. The first one was of a film which had already been shown the previous week. The poster had not been removed yet. The second one, of the current movie was torn in the corner. The film's name appeared to be ...Rani. He stood there baffled as ever. He saw a car being parked near his. Two youths got out. One had earrings on and a red handkerchief around his neck. He was chewing a paan and smoking a cigarette. He banged the door shut and pushed his friend forward. Raju timidly asked him which film was on that night. He spit on the ground and laughed," Who the hell cares, yaar. Just go in and when the film starts you will know. They are all the same. Old wine with new labels. It could be Dil-ki-Rani or Sapno-ki-Rani or even Meri-Rani. All bakwas! " He kicked an empty can. Raju was no wiser. 8-45 p.m. He saw a person enter the booking office. He tapped on the window and asked for a ticket, offering a ten dollar note.

The clerk shouted,” Not now.I don't have change. Wait till I sell a few tickets." "What time does the show start?” asked Raju. The clerk laughed and said,” Looks as if you are here for the first time. The show will start when we have enough fans inside the cinema.” and he stretched his hand to answer the incessantly ringing phone. Half an hour passed. Slowly people trickled in. The booking office opened and he got his ticket. They were all rushing to get inside. He showed his ticket to the doorkeeper who almost snatched it from his hand, casually tore it into two and shoved one bit in his hand. Inside it was pitch dark. The only dim light shone from the two red EXIT signs above the doors near the screen. Raju had to grope for his seat.

"Ouch, watch where you are going! You've crushed my toe, you fool!” shrieked a buxom lady.

Raju apologized profusely and slumped in the nearest empty seat. More people arrived. There was a lot of commotion. They were greeting each other with loud "hellos’,” how are you"etc.;waving to one another, offering seats, changing seats as if they were playing musical chairs; walking in and out of the cinema and behaving as if they were at a football match. Mothers came in with babies in strollers. The strollers were parked on the worn out carpeted aisle. A few people almost tripped in the dark when they failed to see those strollers. Suddenly there was a hush. The film was on. At first the name was upside down. People clapped and booed. The operator realized his mistake and the screen went blank. There were more jeers and catcalls. After a brief pause, it started again. The film was RAJA RANI. The suspense over its title was over! It was the usual mixture-love triangle, courtroom scene,suicide,murder,rape,fisticuffs etc.interlaced with  sexy lyrics,dances and songs(with actress in five saris during one song). Some people were still restless. As soon a song came on,some got up and went out the cinema. Some went to the restroom,some to get popcorn,some to smoke. There was no air-conditioning. It was hot and humid inside. The children were either crying or running up and down the aisle. It was difficult to concentrate.

At last the INTERVAL sign on the screen. More commotion. More chitchat. Some were busy analyzing the film like informed critics.! Some were returning with platefuls of samosas,and other savories. It was like a grand picnic! Raju wondered whether he was in a cinema or a restaurant. The interval was over but people were still walking in and out. The film resumed. In one scene, the hero fought against six 'goondas' and made them run for their lives! When he won, some of the audience clapped widely as if he had scored an only goal against Brazil! A teenage Romeo sitting next with Raju was trying to kiss his reluctant Juliet in the dark. He heard Romeo whisper" Be a sport, just one! Look, how Juhi is having fun with Khan!" Juliet retorted, "Juhi gets lakhs of Rupees for that. I don't get even popcorn!” That floored Romeo. The film was finally over. Raju came out with a headache! He saw the Manager sticking a poster for the new film. He saw Raju and asked,"So,did you enjoy? Very popular film.Juhi-what fantastic acting. Don't miss next week's film!" Raju kept mum. He probably felt that the entertainment off-screen was better than the on-screen goings-on.It was quite dark. As he headed for his car,he saw two ruffians with shaved heads and torn jeans fighting with each other. The Security Guard walked up to them and said,"Hey guys, break it up. What's going on?" One of them replied casually,” Nothing Officer, just practicing the Amir Khan’s  sidekick!"

“Yes,Raju, now I understand but things are a lot better now. I know you love cricket-let me offer you a treat. I’ll take you to one of the upscale Atlanta multiplex cinemas to watch movie “Lagaan’ How about that. When the movie ends, you’ll be cheering and clapping like this”

And cheering and clapping woke me up!

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