Innovative Film City!

I’m back in the web-space after all the hubbub created by Dasavatharam review. I think its natural to become expressive when you become critique about something. I had planned for a Wayanad visit  along with my dear ex-room mates and then a trip to Kottayam for attending my friend Renjith’s wedding. All the plans toppled when my wife’s grandpa fell ill and cancelled his long-planned visit. But I had already started dreaming of roaming around in this long weekend (Friday,Aug 15 is a holiday) The urge to get out of home and go somewhere made me search a lot of tour packages organized by different travel agents. It was too late. Not even a single seat for me! I didn’t capitulate to the situation. Oh yeah, you know I’ve my “Vroom” Activa now! I was dubious if a gearless scooter would fit a long drive (not very long, 50 kms one way). But I found that it surely does. Read on…

Getting up early in the morning on a holiday is too difficult, if not impossible. Somewhere in the brain it gets registered that its a holiday and no need to wake up. We woke up around 8:30 and attended the flag hoisting function by the apartment association. Recited the National Anthem, after a long time, along with the neighbours. After daily chores we started from home at 11:30 AM to destination Innovative Film City, Bidadi, Mysore highway. The scooter is yet to hit the service center for its virgin service and hence I’ve to maintain a speed limit of 40-50 which was very comfortable during the ride. It took around one hour to leave Bangalore city completely and then it was an amazingly smooth road with vehicles speeding past us occasionally. I’ve been through Mysore highway a lot of times before, by bike, car and bus but it was the first time riding an Activa. I’ve seen some negative blogs about the flaws in ergonomics of Activa for long rides, but believe me both of us (rider and the pillion) didnt feel any discomfort during the ride. The scenery on both sides of the highway also prevented us from becoming bored. At around 1:15 we reached Innovative film city. I got a pass for free entry ticket from Preetiji, a colleague. Thanks to her for saving 100 bucks which could’ve got added into the gross loss @ Innovative.

 There was thorough checking of individuals and baggages because of the prevailing bomb threats. The look of the entrance is quite impressive. A big fort with vibrant displays of different inside attractions. We waived the 50 rs entrance fee for each of us with that entry pass, but had to pay 100 bucks for taking the camera inside the premises. Construction of the site is still going on, but the already done parts are looking great with different statues and sculptures. Altogether it appeared like some foreign site that we see in the extravagant song scenes in all Indian movies. Then we moved around to different counters and visited the following events/packages in the film city.

1) Mirror Maze – A ticket of 50 Rs / person is there. It was an amazing experience, unlike the others I’m going explain below. Anyone will like this place. If you pay a visit to the film city, this one is a must see thing. We have to wear plastic film gloves on both hands, which is supplied along with the ticket, before getting into the room. Hmm… I agree with my better half in the point that I shouldnt explain much here. You should go inside and enjoy it. After Mirror maze, we were thoroughly impressed that we went to a counter and bought tickets for 4 other shows together, which turned out to be dissappointing.

2) Ripley’s believe it or not – Not worth for another Rs 100 /person. It is informative, but the fact that everyone is a fan of the show Ripley’s believe it or not in AXN, makes me say the first point again – not at all worth the money they collect. The one good thing I liked was some kind of projection they’ve used in creating Ripley’s ghost inside a room, who appears once in a while, talks some Ripley’s facts and disappears. But what made me more impressed was that he also flips the pages of a book and rotates a globe in front of him

3) Wax museum – Not worth for another Rs 50 / person. In fact I felt pity about some wax statues which neither looked real nor even nearly resembled the model. Anyway we did take some pictures with the people we loved or hated

4) Velocity – It is a very nice go karting site. Another must visit site inside the film city. Its Rs 200 per person for a sports ride (80 kmph is what they claim) and Rs 150 for family ride (40 kmph). I opted for the latter and allowed her steer it as I’ve done sports go-karting before. 

5) Miniature City – Take my word – DONT VISIT this nonsense – Rs 50 / person will be wasted for no good reason. There is nothing to see inside this and still they’ve charged such a huge amount.

There are other sites also, but after 3 bad experiences I didnt feel like spending more money. I could see ads of some coming up events, ( Artificial snow and Haunted mansion ) which looked promising. Fortunately I could express my views to an executive there, who asked our feedback of the visit. I know that it wouldnt make any difference. But to express a view to someone directly is far relieving than venting out the same in a website

Our ride back home was great, thanks to the heavy rain which made it greater.