Cricket and Bollywood — two common languages ​​that open Indian hearts, IPL From seasons to movie theater etiquette

In India, cricket is not ‘one of the sports’ but in factnational religionClose to . Whether on the cement floor of a big city alley or the dirt floor of a rural village, children are holding bats, and on days when the national team is playing, office meetings are quietly postponed. On the other hand, Indian films, represented by Bollywood,language of emotionsno see. It is no exaggeration to say that Indian films, which contain song, dance, tears and comedy all in one three-hour film, are almost the only cultural device that allows audiences from different classes and languages ​​to laugh and cry together in the theater.

These two things are also intertwined. It is common for top Bollywood stars to be listed as owners of the IPL team or appear at award ceremonies, and for cricket stars to appear in advertisements and movies. In other words, cricket and BollywoodThe two hearts of Indian popular cultureIt can be said that the time when two hearts beat together is the IPL season and the season of major holiday releases.

Practical benefits for Koreans

• Entry barriers to social cultsThis gets lower. Topics to bring up naturally arise in your first conversation with an Indian colleague or in a meeting with a partner company.
• local understandingincreases. IPL The team is based in a city, so if you know the story of the team, you will naturally understand the pride and rivalry of the area.
• settlement of the familyIt also helps. In school, relationships with neighbors, and small talk with children's friends and parents, there are few topics as harmless and enjoyable as cricket and movies.Checklist for your first 30 days in IndiaUse it as an initial settlement tool.

IPL(Indian Premier League)is a professional cricket league organized by the Board of Cricket in India (BCCI), with matches lasting 20 overs each.T20 (Twenty20) methodno see. Unlike international matches (test matches) that take place over several days, IPL one match ends in approximately 3 to 4 hours, making it the most suitable format for foreigners who are new to cricket.

The season is usuallyOpens from late March to early April, finals from late May to early JuneIt concludes, but is adjusted every year according to domestic issues such as international competition schedules or general elections. The exact season opening and final dates and game schedule must be confirmed.IPL Official site (iplt20.com)Check the latest information here.

Competition Structure Summary

• league stage: 10 teams will play league games in a home/away format. The peak season continues with 1-2 games every evening.
• playoffs: The top 4 teams in the league advance and go through Qualifier 1, Eliminator, and Qualifier 2 to decide who will advance to the finals.
• Final: Held every year at a different metropolitan stadium, it is considered the best sporting event of the year.

Game times and how to watch

• Weekday games are usuallyStarts at 7:30 PM India time, it is common for two games to be scheduled on weekends, at 3:30 PM and 7:30 PM. Please refer to the official site as it may vary depending on the broadcasting company and platform programming every year.
• Since the broadcast depends on the broadcaster and streaming platform contract, before the season starts, check on which platform you can watch it for free or for a fee.Official InformationIt is safer to check.

From 2022, IPL will10 franchise systemIt is operated as. Teams are city (or state) based, so rooting for the team in your area is the most natural social activity, and it also greatly helps your relationships with your Indian colleagues and neighbors. Naturally, if you live in Delhi, Gurgaon, or Noida,Delhi Capitals (DC)becomes our team.

Team characters that Koreans should know about

• MI·CSKis a prestigious team competing for the most wins in IPL history, and the majority of Indians are fans of one side or the other.
• RCBrecently won its first trophy after a long thirst for victory and became famous for its ‘rabid fan base.’ These are useful topics to talk about with your Bengaluru IT industry partners.
• KKRis a bollywood superstarShah Rukh KhanThis joint ownership is often cited as a symbol of the India-Bollywood union.
• GThome ofNarendra Modi Stadiumsilver medicineThe world's largest cricket stadium with 130,000 seatsThis is where large-scale international exhibitions such as the India-Pakistan exhibition are held.

IPL The experience of watching a home game in person at a stadium is considered one of the highlights of living in India. However, Indian cricket stadiums have very strict security and many items are prohibited from being brought into the country.If you go without prior preparation, it will most likely be confiscated at the gate or denied entry.It works. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the procedures and regulations below in advance.

Ticket Reservation Procedure

1. TypicallyBookMyShow, Paytm InsiderIt is sold on the same online ticket platform. As sales channels may change every year, please check the IPL official site or the home team's official SNS for information.
2. Popular matches (playoffs, popular team home games, India-Pakistan international matches, etc.)Sold out within minutes of launchIn many cases, it is recommended to check the opening time precisely.
3. The ticket isIdentity card in your name (passport, etc.)Therefore, the reservation holder information and visitor information must match. Most children also require separate tickets.

Prohibited items (frequently confiscated at the gate)

• Water bottles, food (regardless of whether sealed or not), lighters, matches
• Power bank, tripod, professional camera, selfie stick
• Laptop/tablet, large bag/backpack
• Liquids (including sunscreen and perfume), umbrellas and parasols
• Coins (some stadiums have restrictions on bringing in metals except for payment at the official goods shop)

Detailed regulations vary by stadium and competition, so please check before visiting.Official information about the stadiumCheck out . It is safest to bring only your passport, tickets, a small amount of cash, and a cell phone with a SIM card.

Cheering culture and manners

• The Indian audienceFace Paint, Team Jersey, PlacardWe support you passionately. If you get a home team jersey, they immediately treat you as ‘on our side.’
• India-Pakistan match, etc.Because international competition can easily turn into a political topic,, it is safer for foreigners to refrain from making comments that empathize too much with winning or losing.
• Night games end closer to midnight, so plan your transportation home in advance (call a taxi app in advance, pick up from work, etc.).

It is often easy to lump together ‘Indian movies = Bollywood’, but in reality,Several film industries coexist in each language regiondo. Knowing this distinction will help you avoid rudeness when speaking with Indians, and will greatly reduce your chances of blushing, especially in front of colleagues from South India.

Understanding Bollywood Top Stars

• Three Khans: Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) · Salman Khan · Aamir Khan. These three superstars have led the Hindi film industry for over 30 years and are referred to by most Indians as 'actors of my generation'.
• Amitabh Bachchan: A veteran actor who became a national star with 'Angry Young Man' in the 1970s and 1980s and is still active in commercials, TV, and movies. He is an iconic figure in Indian culture.
• female actor: Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, etc. Deepika and Priyanka are also well-known for their foray into Hollywood.

Latest Trends — Pan India Movies

In the past, each language's film industry was consumed within its own audience, but recently films have been released simultaneously in multiple languages, targeting all of India.Pan-India masterpieceThis is increasing. A representative example is a film that started in South India (Telugu), was dubbed into Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam, and became a hit all over India. When discussing movies with an Indian colleagueMention the distinction between ‘South Indian cinema’ and ‘Bollywood’This will give you a much more mannered impression.Korean communityReviews of new movies are also frequently shared.

Multiplexes in major cities in India have very high standards of facilities and services. In Delhi NCR, each large shopping mall has a large theater, so even if you are visiting for the first time, you can use it in a similar way to Korea's CGV and Megabox.Gurgaon area guideMalls near Cyber ​​Hub (Cyber Hub) introduced in are also famous as theater districts.

major theater chains

• PVR INOX: India's largest multiplex chain. PVR and INOX merged in 2023 to operate as an integrated brand, and are located in most large malls in Delhi NCR.
• Cinepolis: This is a Mexican-based global chain whose strengths include recliner seats and premium theaters.
• Miraj CinemasLocal mid-sized chains such as etc. are also active in each region.

Ticket reservations and seat classes

• mostlyBookMyShow(Representative reservation app) or reserve through the theater's own app or website. A small convenience fee will be charged.
• Seat classes vary from theater to theater, but are generallyRecliner → Gold / Premium → RegularThe price decreases in that order. Special theaters such as IMAX, 4DX, and Dolby Cinema are also operated mainly in large cities.
• Since it is common for movies to run longer than 3 hours,Intermission of about 15 minutes in the middleThis is definitely there. It is customary to visit the restroom and cafeteria during this time.

Good viewing manners to know

• In the past, before the screening startedIndian National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana)It was mandatory for everyone to stand, but due to the Supreme Court ruling in 2018,National screenings at movie theaters are voluntary, not mandatory.changed to . However, depending on the theater and screening time, the national anthem may be played, so please remain quiet at that time.risingIt is polite to do so.
• Korean subtitles are rarely provided for Hindi, Tamil, or Telugu original language films, and English subtitles may or may not be available depending on the theater and film.Pre-sale screening information (subtitles)Check out .
• Typical snacks available at the concession stand include popcorn, nachos, samosas, and masala cola. In most cases, bringing food or drinks from outside the theater is prohibited.

Cricket and Bollywood are not tools for showing off knowledge;a medium that opens relationshipsno see. Below are practical tips that can be helpful when communicating with Indian colleagues and neighbors.Essential apps for living in IndiaIt is a good idea to have it as an initial settlement tool.

Expressions that open the door to conversation

• “IPL Which team do you support these days?” — It's a harmless question that naturally leads to questions about where you're from and team rivalries.
• “Did you see a new movie over the weekend? Please recommend some Hindi movies to watch these days.” - especiallyDiwali, Eid, and Christmas holiday seasonsWith the release of a blockbuster film, there is plenty of conversation material to be had.
• Once you know the home town of your Indian teammate, you can gain a lot of favor just by mentioning the city's IPL team name once.

Topics of Conversation to Avoid

• Remarks politically expanding the India-Pakistan cricket matchPlease refrain from doing so. It is safer to focus on the enjoyment of the sport itself.
• An expression that lumps South Indian films (Rajinikanth, RRR, etc.) into ‘Bollywood’may be disrespectful to colleagues from South India. Please use the correct name, such as ‘Telugu movie’, ‘Tamil movie’, etc.
• It is best not to discuss issues related to a specific actor or team's private life, or controversies related to religion or caste, during a first meeting.

How to enjoy it with your family

• If you have young children, your relationships with school friends and parentsinvitation to watch a movieComes and goes often. Watching animation or family movies together at PVR INOX in a large mall is a good way to socialize during the settling down period.
• IPL During the season, at companies and apartment complexesGroup Viewing Partymay also be opened. You can blend in naturally by bringing just one team-colored shirt.
• If you become familiar with Indian popular cultureFirst 30 days of settlementAnother resolution, 'Living in India', begins. Cricket and Bollywood are the keys that open the first door.