Movies in India

I haven't been unaware of the fact, since we moved to India, that Indians are mad about movies. Bollywood surrounds us here in Bandra and the newspaper seems to devote as many inches to the habits of Indian superstars as to any other news. Last Sunday, however, was the first time Lucienne and I ventured out to an actual movie theater to see the film, Despicable Me. So what's different about seeing movies in India you ask? Well, from the time I stepped up to the ticket counter, I felt like a fish out of water. I asked for two matinee tickets for the movie, to which the man slumped in his chair tells me is sold out. I reply, "Sold out! The movie has been out for weeks!" He explains that I needed to order my tickets in advance, by phone and a man would deliver the tickets to my house. I could do this the day before. Wow, you can get EVERYTHING delivered! I returned to the car and our driver, Raju, wasn't going to give up so easily. There are movie theaters every few miles it seems in this city so we will find another showing that is not sold out. We drive a bit up the road to the Fun Theater (I was a little hesitant when I heard the name) and I got out to ask if tickets were available. Yes! Indeed there were. I thought this would be a simple exchange of cash for tickets, but before she printed them she pushes a map of the theater at me and says, "Which seats would you like?" Confused, I told her any were fine. So now we have our assigned seats for the film and enter the theater. I am really looking forward to some popcorn at this point. Looking around, I see the word "Corn", but no "Pop" in front of it. The sign reads, "American Corn". Well, maybe this is what they call popcorn here. To my surprise, the man dips a spoon into a metal drum and scoops out steaming corn. I have a variety of choices to flavor it with, Lime and Chile, Masala, etc. Hummm. Now, I corral Lu and move her over to our theater, thinking that once we are inside, I should recognize this as a trip to the movies or at least a bizarro version. I notice everyone is seated from the back row up and no seats are left vacant in-between. Now, this wasn't a sold out show and is a huge theater so the 10 or 12 rows closest to the screen are empty! The movie starts, but first we must stand for the National Anthem. The entire room stands and you could hear a pin drop. The anthem commences accompanied by a video of the military guards in the Himalaya on the borders of Pakistan and China. Standing at attention in the driving snow they salute the Indian flag. All the while, Lu is yelling at me, "Mama this isn't Despicable Me!" Please can this movie start?! Thank god it does and I sigh in relief when I hear dialogue in English.