Cinemas

Going for a movie is a popular way for Chennaiites to pass time. The Tamil Film Industry, Kollywood, is popular and find its roots in Chennai (the K from Kodambakkam). The cinemas are heavily airconditioned and it sounds odd, but you could get cold in there if you are not wearing enough cover.

Watching a Tamil movie is surely a must for every newcomer to Chennai, as the cinema experience will be pretty different from your home country. Applaus, comments, or even a little dance is allowed during the often long movie and makes it more lively than usual.

The most popular Hollywood movies will be offered as well and online reservation is sometimes possible (and convenient to have good places).

Inox multiplex

The most modern cinema complex in Chennai, situated in the City Center Mall. 4 screens, 909 seats. Tamil, Hindi and English Movies. book tickets

City Center
Dr. Rhadakrishna Salai
Mylapore, Chennai

Sathyam Cinemas

A big and popular cinema complex with 6 screens and 2380 seats, digitally projecting Indian and foreign movies. Located right off Mount Road/ Anna Salai, the entry is on Whites Roads from now on. Book your tickets on their site.

8, Thiruvika Road
Royapettah, Chennai

Prarthana Drive In Theatre & Restaurant

Remotely located on ECR (the coastal road in the south towards mammalapuram), this is the place to watch a movie in open air. Waiters come around to take food orders while you enjoy a movie, chilling on a sheet and with some beverages. Charming maybe, but compared to the freezer cinemas in the city, probably less comfortable, more expensive and far away. It is targeted toward families with kids though and the 100 x 60 feet screen is impressive. Daily shows at 7PM and 10PM.

East Coast Road (12 km from Adyar)
Injambakkam, Chennai

Shopping

Where to Go Shopping in Chennai?

Spencer's Plaza

This Mall of Malls in Chennai hosts a wide range of smaller and bigger shops under one roof. Though prices are usually higher than elsewhere in the city, all major brands and shop-chains are represented with an outlet at Spencers plaza (Nike, Adidas, Landmark, Raymond,...). They are complemented by hundreds of little shops in the side alleys with souvenirs, clothes and crap.

Spencer's also features a decent supermarket and has a food court on the third floor with all the usual (fast) food joints like KFC, Subway, Domino's and some Chinese/Indian variations.
Bear the huge crowds during weekends and don't get lost.

Spencer's Plaza
Mount Road (Anna Salai)
Chennai


City Center

The City Center Mall near the beach is the most up-market in Chennai. Unlike Spencer's Plaza it chooses to uniquely host flagship stores of top brands and therefor you will not find the cheap side alley shops. The interior is bright and in general the mall is more enjoyable than Spencers, though it hosts less shops and focuses mainly on clothing.

When the shopping gets to tiring, go for a movie in the INOX Cinema on the top floor or have a bite with a wonderfull view over Chennai in the rooftop restaurant. On the third floor you will find an extensive foodcourt with a myriad of known and unknown food stands ranging from Pizza Hut to Pakistani Kebab.

In case you have kids, release them on the huge playground adjacent the food court but sit far away if you are cursed with sensitive ears.

City Center Mall
Dr. RadhaKrishna Salai
Mylapore, Chennai


Ispahani Center

This Mall on Nungambakkam High Road has a bit of every thing: a coffee shop (Coffee Day), clothes, ATM, Fast food (Marry Brown), a bakery...It's always fresh inside which makes it an ideal place to stop by on a hot day and it's central position in town makes it easy to quickly hop in for some ice cream or milkshakes.

Ispahani Center
Nungambakkam High Road (between Taj Coromandel and The Park Hotel)
Nungambakkam, Chennai


Shoppers Stop

Shoppers Stop is the only Indian member of the “Intercontinental Group of Departmental Stores”, which has the likes of Selfridges (United Kingdom), Karstadt (Germany), Marks & Spencer (UK), Matahari (Indonesia), Myers Grace Bros. (Australia) and Rustan’s (Philippines) among its members.". See more on www.shopperstop.com

Shopper's Stop
Harrington Road,
Chetpet, Chennai - 600 031.

Store timings:
Weekdays: 11:00 - 9:00
Weekends: 11:00 - 9:00


Other

Several other malls are scattered around Chennai. Many of them boost an interesting mix of different sized travel agencies, clothes shops, coffee shops, Shoe shops, DVD rentals, gyms, tailors and more. Go out to discover and bargain yourself some good deals. See the list below as a starting point.

• Alsa Mall, #45 Monthiet road, Egmore, Chennai
• Raahat Plaza, #172 Arcot Road, Vadapalani, Chennai. (opp. Vijaya Hospital)
• Prince Plaza, #94 Purasawalkam High Road, Chennai.
• Fountain Plaza, #114 Pantheon road, Egmore, Chennai.