The Final Spell

Deol has made watching every Potter movie an elaborate and exiciting ritual ever since the first movie of the series,Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone,released in 2001. For the last 10 years,Potter movies have captured the imagination of viewers worldwide. This has made their release a much-awaited affair that has been welcomed by fans with quirky antics. Going by the general mood on the eve of the release of The Deathly Hallows Part 2,it doesn’t seem to be any different this time.

At PVR multiplexes,the celebrations began a long time ago. A week-long film festival at PVR Ambience Mall,Gurgaon,PVR Phoenix Mills,Mumbai,and PVR Forum,Bangalore,screened all seven Harry Potter films on consecutive days for the first time in India. In Delhi and Bangalore,this festival ended with the premiere of the final film on Wednesday evening. Walk into the multiplexes now,and you’ll see their staff sporting Harry Potter T-shirts. And if you’re looking to be part of the action yourself,the Harry Potter corners are where you should be. Among other things are gaming consoles,movie merchandise sections,drawing competitions and even a Harry Potter look-alike contest.

Similarly,a combined initiative between Warner Brothers and High Street Phoenix,Mumbai,will commemorate the grand finale of the

series with the display of selection of photos and posters from all the previous Harry Potter films,between July 13-17. Shoppers will also be treated to activities such as face-painting,making Harry Potter items like wands,lockets and witch hats. Apart from this,official merchandise of the film,including movie tickets,DVDs,wand pencils,t-shirts and notebooks will be available in the mall.

Former VJ Maria Goretti,a huge fan of the series,plans to throw a party at home and screen the film. “I’m a huge fan of the Harry Potter series. I have read and watched all the parts and intend to watch the last part soon after it’s release. Arshad (Warsi) and I don’t take the kids to the theatre to watch the films because it can be a tad frightening. But we will always have a full-blown theatre screening at home with a mini party. That’s what we are planning this time around as well.”