BRIEF CASE: A Multiplex Moment

Multiplexes have radically transformed Delhi's movie-watching culture. The massive queues have all but disappeared, as have gangs of mosquitoes and broken seats. What has not changed is the ubiquitous Delhiite. In the confines of an air-conditioned cinema hall one can find Delhiites of all varieties — from the polite to the obnoxious; from the dreamy, hand-holding couples to the disapproving, overweight aunties; from the gang of school-bunking kids to the giggling group of svelte college girls.During a recent trip to a neighbourhood multiplex, yours truly found himself amidst a similar motley group of cinema-goers. At the intermission, a message flashed on the screen: 'Please stand up for the national anthem'.
Slowly, hesitatingly, people started getting up. The girls stopped gossiping, the loud gentleman behind me stopped fighting for his seat, the whistling, joking group of students clammed up, and even the babies stopped crying. For the next few minutes, the only sound in the hall was that of the national anthem being sung by a host of legendary singers. And every single person in that dark, plush cinema hall was standing up. The atmosphere was electrifying and for those few minutes, one felt goose pimples.
Suddenly, one no longer felt any animosity towards the gawking teen who kept fiddling with his chair. I didn't want to slap the noisy kid behind me anymore. I felt a bond with my country and countrymen. It was an experience that i hadn't ever felt in my 28 years of existence. After the anthem ended, we took our seats. Some people applauded. Some shared smiles with unknown faces beside them. After all, we were all part of the same country. We were India. If this moment could have such a profound impact on an adult like me, then think of that seven-year-old in the fourth row, on whose impressionable mind the two-minute clip might have left an indelible mark. Just 10 minutes later, as i tried to make my way through a crowded traffic crossing, i accidentally brushed the side-view mirror of a shiny new car. Suddenly, a volley of verbal abuses hit me like an avalanche. As i turned to face the abuser, i realised it was the quiet, affable lady who had exchanged smiles with me after the anthem!