Mar 28, 2008 11:19 PM
19859 Views
As I was the person who recommended this product, I knew that I really should write a review on this. So, here I am sharing my thoughts about the FAME multiplex at Hiland Park.
FAME decided to launch its operations in Kolkata about three years back(27/10/2005) with the premiere of the film ANTARMAHAL. This FAME like all multiplexes these days is located on top of the Metropolis Mall at Hiland Park. Hiland Park is a series of residential towers. The Metropolis Mall is located towards the south-east part of Kolkata, more specifically at the south of the EM Bypass at Chak Garia
When it first started, I'm sure people had doubts over how it would run. Chak Garia is quite far away from the central Kolkata hubs like Park Street, Camac Street and also from the new and upcoming hub, Salt Lake. However, what has worked to its advantage is that till 2008, there had been quite a dearth of multiplexes in this region. Thus this FAME had a huge catchment area consisting of Santoshpur, Garia, Jadavpur, Naktala and even places like Golf Green, Lake Gardens. However, with the opening of another multiplex at Prince Anwar Shah Road, it's catchment area has gone down a bit, but is still quite large and I guess, is sufficient to drive its business. However, if you live in the Central or even the Northern parts of the city, I think it might be a little difficult to get to the place, provided you don't have a car.
I haven't visited many multiplexes over the years so I don't how they all compare. However, I've visited FAME three times(once for watching Narnia, once for watching Rang De Basanti, once for watching Namastey London) and here's what I think.
The mall itself looks very similar to INOX-Forum. But however, it's quite clean, spruce and tidy. There's not much which differentiates it from other malls/multiplexes. The multiplex is quite good. Very comfortable seats, especially the soft plush ones at the back. The food is a bit pricey but I guess that's common with most multiplexes these days. However, except the burgers and the baked things, the food is quite delicious.
The service is ok and polite, though not friendly. The ushers don't really seem very eager to help you, it's almost as if "we're just doing a job".
The tickets at FAME are like other multiplexes. The morning-shows are cheap but a popular movie in the evening is expensive. However, what I've noticed is that ticket prices for hit movies which have run for over quite a long time(one month to one and a half month) are a bit less than other places. I remember I had gone to see Rang De Basanti almost two months after its release and I only had to shell out Rs 70 for a ticket.
FAME is an enjoyable place. You can come in and catch a quick movie once in a month here. Don't expect too much from it and it won't let you down.
