Hyderabadis are falling in love with cinema under the stars

Once limited to clubs like Secunderabad Club, ESI, and Film Nagar Club, open-air movie screenings have evolved into a relaxed, atmospheric alternative to traditional cinema halls. With fairy lights overhead, floor cushions, and a laid-back crowd that cheers during songs and mouths along to dialogues, it feels like a big backyard party. These screenings offer a lively experience with crowd-pleasers that invite cheering and singing along. It’s this blend of nostalgia and shared excitement that’s drawing Hyderabadis to venues like Onegolf Brewery, where friends and families gather under the stars to revisit their favourite films.It reminds me of the old-school drive-in theatres my parents used to talk about. There’s a retro charm to sitting out in the open, watching a big screen with strangers who slowly start feeling like part of the same experience– Abdul Rahman, Software Engineer“I took someone to an open-air screening for our first date, and it was honestly perfect. It had that casual yet romantic vibe — you’re sitting under the stars, sharing snacks and watching a movie. It definitely broke the ice better than dinner at a loud restaurant,” says Shruti Iyer, Architect ‘We were sitting in an inflatable pool, watching a movie under the stars’“We wanted to do something different for our one-month anniversary, and the idea of watching a movie outdoors sounded fun. The setup was great, we were sitting in an inflatable pool, watching Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani under the stars. It was laid-back but still felt special together.”– Rishi K, Software EngineerThere’s a warmth to the whole setup the fairy lights, the blankets, even the slight evening chill. It’s not just about the film, it’s the feeling of being part of a little community, at least for those two hours– Divya Thomas, Content Writer‘The experience was so different from the regular theatre’“I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the moment I walked in, it felt like I’d stepped into a scene from a movie. There were fairy lights, cozy cushions and a relaxed energy in the air. When Dil Dhadakne Do started playing, people were mouthing the dialogues and cheering during the songs. It was so different from the usual theatre experience.”– Akash Motwani, Social Media Manager- Sarmistha Ganguli