Some of the older theatres still maintain a separate ‘Current Booking’ counter for those who want to watch a movie next on schedule. Here is when ‘all’ come to know that there is a ‘female’ wanting to watch a movie all alone.

The stares begin in the queue itself, as if studying every part of the clothing and footwear. Then the ‘collective’ gaze to the left and to the right to ascertain whether ‘she’ is definitely alone. And of course the questions that appear to be coming out of their open mouths – why is she alone; does she not have a boyfriend; is she mentally okay; has she run away from someone or something?

On the other hand, people manning the ticket counters are a considerate breed. Whether trained to be or it is a trait they have acquired over time, is not known but when you ask for a single ticket, they will look-up and invariably ask: “Single lady madam?” When the response is yes, the search for a ‘good’ seat begins. He often provides a choice between a couple of seats if the movie is not doing too well. And these will never include the last row and will always be an isle seat next to a ‘family.’

Inside, the movie hall attendant will usually take a little more trouble to focus his torch on your seat. Of course, the big family that you are seated next to, will come in either just after the movie has started or when a beautiful advertisement is being played. The movie goes fine except for the occasional stares and hoot calls from behind when a romantic scene is on. But if a truant guy is seated behind you (the ticket attendant does not do a check of the seats in front or behind) he will tap your seat at the slightest provocation, which can even be just a fight scene.

The worse is during the interval. Best not to venture out even if you are cramming with hunger. First, your pleas for a ‘samosa packet’ will get drowned with the number of people yelling for food and secondly not the best place to be – a single girl surrounded by hungry men. The movie will resume and so will the whistles but if the movie is good, much of it is generally ignored. One commandment to definitely keep, if you are a girl and watching a movie alone – leave the hall before the movie ends. Forget it, if the critics say that the wind-up is the best thing about the movie, run just before “The End’ makes it to the screen. You will at least leave the theatre with pleasant memories of the movie than anything else.

With multiplexes, life is a little safer. Plush seats and considerable distance between seats and rows. Also, one can book one’s food at the beginning and have it delivered to the seat. But here, safety comes with a price.