Ramoji Film City

 I had been to RFC some 15 years ago. Anjali had never been there so since we were all together we decided to check it out. It was hot so we booked ourselves in some AC package which costs some 3k per head - but in retrospect it was fully worth it. Anyway, since the IPL final was later that evening we decided to get in early and get out early. Off we went at 830 am - and reached RFC at 945 am or later.

The AC chaps get into whats called the premium lounge and we were given some booklets and tickets and stickers to stick on our shirts or arms and we did so obediently. I did not ask what the booklets were for (apparently they are coupons for food, tea and small packs of fruit juice). Good thing I did not throw them away. They also gave us bottles of water and a box of chocolates each which are not the best. Anyway, we waited in the lounge and were told that we had to get into the second bus. From then on we were called as the Yellow Stickers and we had to follow the quietly efficient and charming Ms Ayushi Deshpande who was our guide for the day. Ayushi did a fine job.

Off we went in our bus and first headed to some place where they demonstrated how movies are made to the heart thumping number 'magiccc. moviee magiccc'. Of course before that Mr Ramoji Rao came on screen and told us about how he fell in love with movies and how he wanted us to share his passion and love. Then some song and dance by some slightly preoccupied dancers and then a bunch of Chinese stunt men fighting in a wild west scenario. By this time we were hungry and were let into a restaurant which had some decent food. One thing in favour of RFC - despite the crowds, the unruly chaps, the loos were brilliantly maintained.

After lunch we were shown around the studios and waled along the European street and then we went to some gardens with butterflies, exotic birds, ducks and geese. The exotic birds were something and I wondered if its a good thing if one pays so much in a film city to be impressed by exotic birds. Anyways gardens done, Kripalu cave done, we headed back and begged off the last two items. Instead we went to the hotel, drank tea and took the first AC bus out to the parking. An hour and a half later we were home and since the IPL final got washed out, chilled off with some beer and some songs.

Ticked off.