Mukta A2 Cinemas Ramakrishna (Abids)

Judging from its smaller twin, you might expect Ramakrishna 70mm to be a macro version of everything good and the mini of everything bad. It happens to be quite the opposite.

The wait for tickets is unpleasantly cramped between the narrow grilles. The perpetually damp cellar is also a major put-off. The titillating pieces of sculpture are placed here too. In addition, there are fantastic portraits of NTR in various roles. A true homage to the Telugu bidda, the founder of the complex. Ironically enough, though, Telugu movies are never played here.

Ramakrishna has been known as AP's first deluxe theater, and is big and good enough to still be called deluxe. It was built by NTR in his heyday as the numero uno Telugu hero, and he brought class to the movie-watching experience, right down to genuflecting to the Telugu aada paduchu all through - the easiest way to get tickets at the Ramakrishnas is getting your sister or mother into the queues.

The interiors at 70mm are pretty much the same as those at Glitterati - plush seats, ample space and great air-conditioning. I do wish they'd do something about the humidity, though.

Hangers-on from the neighbourhood pool parlor give this place a really bad rep. Also, the serious lack of parking place isn't good for business. The black-ticketeers believe that the 70mm rating is just license for more looting. If only the movies often played here were worth the trouble - several times, they are actually semi-porn. NTR must be squirming in his grave.

The more hyped movies are released here and usually end up down the drain, but it's worth the visit for that occasional gem of a movie.

Also read: Ramakrishna Glitterati