A case for our theatres

The pandemic happened, and I missed pretty much everything except theatres. Streaming just seemed better in terms of cost and convenience, right?

Trust Marvel to make you break your dry spell. (keep your mind out of the gutter)

Contrary to what one might think, I didn't feel a rush of nostalgia when I entered the hall. I felt like I hadn't left. It was just another Friday when I walked in, prepared either to have my mind blown, or sleep comfortably in the air-conditioned igloo. And to harbour some hostile feelings for the guy behind me who just wouldn’t shut the fuck up.

As the CGI-fest happened to me over the next two hours, I did get my mind blown for obvious reasons. Nothing illuminates your thoughts like a dimly-lit room with strangers, cheering like they just won cashbacks from GPay instead of vouchers.

Cinema is as indelible a part of society as unaccountability is to the government. Because cinema is about the roar of euphoria that escaped your lungs when Captain America lifted Mjolnir, and the solitary tear that escaped your eye when Jojo saw his mom's vibrant shoes, dangling from her limp body. It's about the audible gasp you let out when Harry saw his parents in the Mirror of Erised, and the smile that lit up the corner of your mouth when Simba saw the vast extent of the kingdom awaiting him. (apologies for no arthouse references)

It's about the inexplicable feelings you feel when you watch magic happen. And feeling everyone around you feel the same. It’s about experiencing things as one, in a group where you know no one. And yet feeling like what you watched, spoke just to you. It is about entering as people. And leaving as a people.