New Delhi, Nov. 8 -- On an average weekend in the National Capital Region (NCR), there are heritage walks and nature trails early in the morning; poetry readings and book club meetings in the day; tastings galore-from coffee and chocolates to wines and whiskies-to fill the evenings, and some fake weddings too. As these endless options for communal experiences vie for our attention (and money), there's one pastime that has remained relatively unchanged: The movie.

Most halls have stuck with the same old recipe of overpriced snacks and carbonated drinks. So, when I came across a social media ad for a "gourmet cinema experience", I was intrigued. The films on offer weren't new but the kind you didn't mind rewatching. The price was steep- Rs...