THE ITALIAN CONNECTION
(A narrative by Subbaram Danda)
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| The colourful ceiling and murals |
It is a palace. It is Palazzo. In Italian language, it means palace. We are happy we went there this afternoon. It is not in Italy. It is very much there in our Singara
Chennai. It is the name of a relatively new
swanky cinema complex in Vadapalani – in Forum Vijaya Mall. We visited it to watch the latest Surya
starrer titled 24.
The moment we stepped
into the third floor of the mall, where Palazzo is located, we realized we were
entering a totally different world -- a dazzling one. Expensive Italian marble floors,
fresco-adorned walls, a ceiling embellished with paintings, glitzy chandeliers, ornamental statues, a plush dining hall of a restaurant and a soothing colour scheme all contributed to the enrichment
of the overall environment. The decor of Palazzo reflected the neo-classical style of Italian architecture.
Palazzo boasts of
nine most modern screening halls. Excellent
acoustics, pleasing lighting, comfortable air-conditioning, plush seats and
artistic drapes add to the film-viewing pleasure.
Meanwhile, Surya's 24 disappoints. He dons several roles and confuses the viewers sufficiently. Hero Surya invents a "time machine" and with its help travels back and forth through time, chased by his own brother (villain Surya) to grab it. In the process he throws people into depths of incomprehension. No wonder, half the hall was empty!
Here are some photos:
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| Palazzo cine complex in the third floor of Forum Vijaya Mall |
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| The overall view of Palazzo |
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Paintings on the wall
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| Close-up of a painting |
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| One more close-up |
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| Another painting-decorated wall |
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| One of the glitzy chandeliers |
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A richly decorated dining hall of a restaurant
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| The gleaming floor reflects the opulence of Palazzo |
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| Rich sofa sets for cine patrons |
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| A food counter |
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| Snacks before the film show |
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| Another shot of Palazzo |
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| The elegantly done-up ceiling |
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| Looking from the dining hall |
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| Escalators to and from Palazzo |
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| The sign of Palazzo on an exterior wall |
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| A hall, where Surya's 24 was screened |
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| The rich upholstery of the cine hall |
May 24, 2016
