Asian Cineplanet Multiplex (Kompally)

The management of Cine Planet says they "do not have" a contact number, an email id or a fax number because they cannot afford the "headache" (of customers calling them for queries, presumably). Step 1 of customer service excellence: check.

So, for instance, if you want to know whether a particular show in Cine Planet has been cancelled, there is no way to find out except by landing there. If you live about 20 kilometres from Kompally, this can be a fun way of discovering the colourful vocabulary you are capable of.

Nevertheless, Cine Planet has no reason to worry. At least for now. It is one of those businesses that do well just because they exist. For an area like Kompally, it is pretty much the pioneer in entertainment. The place is thronged by students from the colleges nearby, and by the families who reside in the area. Plus, leisure-seekers who're hanging out on the Medchal highway. But if people there had a better choice, they would sure as hell exercise their options.

The actual movie-watching experience in Cine Planet scores high on value for money. The seating is plush and the halls are clean, and there is ample leg room. Prices are less than half the usual prices at other multiplexes (at the time of writing, in October 2012, tickets cost Rs. 60 and Rs. 80). Snacks are present in plenty, in wide variety, and wonderfully reasonably priced (as opposed to the corporate multiplexes that charge ridiculous amounts for something as trifling as a fistful of French fries).

However, there are other gnawing issues. One - they charge higher than normal for parking. And then, if you look like you're hanging around for too long, the parking attendant will cite non-existent rules about how you are allowed to park "only for 3 hours" and demand money from you – when, in fact, all he wants is "chai-pani paisa". Two – they charge you for bag safekeeping, something that self-respecting establishments do not resort to.

The toilets operate on the principle of "Who comes to a movie theatre to pee anyway?" Shabby, broken and unsightly, they dare you to use them, even as your body dares you to hold it in.

But overlook these faults (and clearly, many people are), and you will see that Cine Plant is a decent place to spend a couple of hours at. There is a bunch of budget eateries, including chains like Mamu's, and a games section as well. Shopping brands like Levi's have set up outposts here, and the stores see a respectable number of footfalls.

Cine Planet is doing all right now, but the real question is whether it can hold off competition. It isn't something you'd want to travel to if you're living more than 3 kilometres away from it – people in Paradise should still opt for Prasads over this.