After remaining shut for several months due to the pandemic, movie theatres across the country reopened in October with 50% capacity. While the footfalls have remained dismal, some movie buffs — who have been waiting to watch films once again on the big screen — have been slowly stepping out and visiting theatres. One such cinephile is Nimrat Kaur, who recently visited a cinema hall in Mumbai to watch a Hollywood movie.

Nimrat shares, “Theatres are taking ample precautions. They are thoroughly sanitising every nook and corner, taking care of hand hygiene and social distancing. If you wear your mask and are careful, I don’t see visiting a theatre to be a health hazard.” The actress adds, “I was being very vigilant and was looking at everything through the safety lens. I was really impressed with the kind of care that was taken. I had made up my mind that if I felt uncomfortable, I will walk out, but that wasn’t the case.”

Nimrat says that going for the movie for the first time since lockdown felt like taking the first flight amid the pandemic. “Initially, you feel a bit strange, a little vulnerable, but I feel the human mind is so remarkable that you quickly adapt. Given the fact that all precautions are being taken, you will soon relax and feel okay visiting a theatre. Then you can immerse yourself in the world of fantasy.”

Nimrat was the only one watching the movie in the hall. Sharing her experience, the actress tells us, “It was surreal. It was so strange to be alone in such a huge theatre all by myself. I was really a bit overwhelmed.

I had booked myself a 12.30pm show at PVR Juhu theatre. But I woke up early, so I decided to go for the 10am show instead. At 12.30, while I was still watching the previous show — all alone in the hall — I got a call and the person calling said, ‘Madam, hum show shuru kar rahe hain, aap aa rahe ho?’ He said that they have a ticket booked against my number. That was the moment I realised that I was the only one who had booked the other show, too. It was so sad! I realised they were not going to start the show unless I was there. It was such an unfortunate reality of these times.” Talking about watching a film alone in a huge theatre, Nimrat shares, “I had gone to watch a sci-fi film, and I was watching the film all alone, wearing a mask and taking all the precautions. It made me wonder which was more surreal — the science fiction I am watching or the reality I’m experiencing!”