Madhuban is a part of a three screen multiplex at Dombivli. The others are Pooja and Tilak. It is surprising how much they have managed to fit in the little space this multiplex occupies. Situated just outside Dombivli rly station, it is not advised to take your car with you. Parking space is non existent and it is a nightmare even to bring your car upto the theater. Don't think of parking you bike outside the theater as it will be picked up by the traffic cops and returned to you in a really bad condition. Pooja is in about the same league as Madhuban. Tilak is a real crappy theater, so avoid it.
A wait outside the theater before you get in is a bad experience as the road outside is very small and it can get as crowded as a 7:15 Virar fast. If you intend to meet a friend there, make sure both of you have cell phones as it can be difficult to find a person just 2 meters away from you. There is an old man with a stick jostling you around screaming on the top of his voice. It is also usual to find touts selling tickets in black.
After the outside wait comes the inside wait and here you can really see how cramped the whole structure is with low roofs and beams criss crossing at a very low level, enough for you to touch them. The screen is smaller than average theaters as is the seating capacity. The seating arrangement is nothing to write about as it is usual to find somebody managing to block your view if you are in the stalls. The balcony is however better, but gives a very steep view of the screen. It can be difficult to find your row if you walk in late as there are no led lighted steps. The sound is average with none of the heart pounding sounds and the surround effects being extremely jarring. It appears the speakers for the surround track ar at a higher volume setting than the front and the surround track stands out from all the other tracks. Very distracting. The ads shown in the intervals are too long and crappy.
The food isn't anywhere near good and the food outlet is extremely crowded during intervals. After the movie you are dumped into a long flight of steps which again gets extremely crowded and you have to walk snail steps. Luckily with the low roof you can entertain yourself by touching as many roof pillars as possible ;) On the positive side, this theater manages to screen a whole gamut of movies. Some movies might have just one screening per day. Also be sure to check out the language in which the movie is screened because the language is not advertised and I have found myself watching Hindi versions of English movies a couple of times. Nowadays I am very careful.
The cleanliness of the theater is acceptable, suitable enough to take the family with you. The rates are around 40 - 80 depending on the movie.
Overall, don't really expect much from this theater and you will be happy.
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