JNC -The Place to be! | Feature

The oldest movie theatre in operation in Nepal, Jai Nepal Chitraghar (JNC), opens its refurbished doors in early July, 2002. The grand dame of Nepali cinema houses received a major face lift after half a century of service and 11 million happy customers tramping through the halls. She looked so fine we just had to pop over for a sneak peek!

Serious movie buffs now have an option to the usual 'camera' prints complete with shadows of heads and muffled coughs, seen on Chinese VCD players named Pansonic (only the discerning notice the missing 'a') on dinky tellys. JNC is enough to the make us quite teary with joy.

Welcome to the real thing – a state-of-the-art, fully Dolby Digital movie experience. Jai Nepal Chitraghar has been equipped with the latest THX approved three way surround system with real life sound effects and a projection facility based on Xenon technology. Every one of the 500 seats in the theatre and has been arranged for an unobstructed view of the screen from anywhere in the auditorium. Incidently, all the seats have nifty cup holders so you don't have to clutch your soda throughout the movie.

Vision Quest developed the new theatre hoping families that normally stayed away from movie theatres due to poor service will find a fresh new alternative in JNC. It is ideally located in the heart of Kathmandu, with plenty of parking space. The candy coloured exterior contrasts the avant-garde lobby which has bright sweeps of colours and recessed lighting. Interiors that combine bathroom tiles with chandeliers, common to every other theatre in the land, is noticeably absent. A restaurant on the premises makes JNC perfect for a fun outing. A well-stocked concession counter will keep the movie munchies at bay with traditional snacks like popcorn, hotdogs and soft drinks. Nevermind the sound system, a theatre is only as good as it's buttered popcorn!

Ticket prices range between Rs.100 – 170, a small price for the dedicated movie-goer who wants quality. Busy folks can either buy prepaid tickets or book through the Internet or the phone. JNC may also begin a film club so that eager beavers have the added thrill of first day first shows. JNC will bring choicest English and Hindi movies to the capital, starting with the blockbuster Spider-man.

Ah, movie magic bliss!

Cinema etiquette

• Bathe: Pungent body odour ruins everything.
• Consideration is key: Don't spread yourself across both armrests, you have neighbours.
• No mobiles: Movies are time-out. Keep it sacred by turning mobiles off.
• NPDA: No Public Demonstrations of Affection. Holding hands is cute, snogging is not.
• Shut up already!: No one wants to hear you moan about predictible plots. Only on the pain of death may you reveal the actual villian.
• Litter: Pushing wrappers under the seat is not acceptable. Use dustbins.