After lots of if-and-buts, we finally managed to come up with an outing plan. The ‘we’ here stands for a group of new joinees at FICO, and the plan refers to Innovative Film City.
Now that we have a few bikes among us, we were eager to ride them on highways – Mysore highway being the prime road. Akshay had been to Innovative Film City earlier and he liked it. It was his idea that we drive to that place, some 44 km from our office. Amidst confusion, after many a persuasions, there were finally 9 people on 5 bikes. Akshay and his brother Swapnil on Pulsar 180, Vipin and his flat mate Naveen on another Pulsar 180, Sumeet and Lakke on the Hunk, Rohit and Nagori on Stunner and I on my CBZ Extreme.
Our journey stated at 11 on a sunny sunday morning. From Kodihalli, it was almost a straight road throughout. We encountered little traffic in the city, but were held up after crossing the city market. The narrow roads and the BMTC bus stop, with adjoining Big Bazaar slowed down the traffic to snails pace – not what we were hoping for. But once we cleared that area and crossed the Manipal Speciality Hospital, we sped off onto the state highway. There onwards it was an amazing drive with hardly any traffic. 5 bikes zooming through, the sun rays hardly having any effect and cool wind blowing across our face.
Before mid-day, we were at the film city. The entrance was awesomely, tempting us to venture inside. We walked down a flight of stairs to arrive at the ticket counter. Now this was the most confusing part for all of us.
Generally in India you have a price for entrance and then everything inside is free. But here, it was an entrance fee of just Rs. 50 and the rides being charged extra. So suppose you want to spend time at their artificial beach, you have to pay an additional 160. Judging by the time we had at our hand, we ended up purchasing tickets for a 4D show, Mirror Maze, Roller Skates, Roller Coaster and Beach. The complete cost was Rs. 590 per head. There were a few more options like Laser Tag, Dirt Biking, Go Karting, but we left the decision of buying tickets for these later, depending on the time left and the weather.
The 4D movie was a nice concept. You get to wear 3D goggles and then there are tools installed on seats to add the 4th dimension. So if you are in a place and flying across the clouds, you feel cool air blowing on your face. At one time we felt tickling sensation in our leg. Then there was the effect of the seats vibrating and all. All in all, it was worth the 80 rupees.
We next went to the Roller Skates. This was the most hilarious part. But for Lakke and Akshay, the rest had never tried skating before. So it was half an hour of watching people fall, and then get up to fall back again. I shall soon be uploading vidoes on facebook and youtube.
We next went to the Mirror Maze. This is an old concept of placing mirrors at angles and creating a small labyrinth so that you are lost. And since mirrors reflect and confuse your mind, you tend to go around and around in the same circle quite a few times before realizing it.
The roller coaster ride was a tad disappointing. It was too short to enjoy. Our ride completed in less than a minute’s time. I wouldn’t advise anyone to try that.
The best part of the whole day was the beach. Soft sands around a wave pool is a pleasing sight. We jumped into the pool and spent quite some time having fun with the waves and the floating air rings. Next we played the beach volleyball. Tired of jumping around in sand, we went swimming once again. This time, we played catches with a ball that Akshay had brought along. It was followed by a photo session. At 7 o’clock the security guard came to tell us off as the place was closing down.
We were amongst the last few to leave the film city. It was an enjoyable place, though I felt that the prices were a bit too steep. Rs. 100 for the roller coaster is not justified. And similarly for a few more rides. But the high prices does not really deter me from visiting that place again. Perhaps, after a few months I might go again.
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