Star Cineplex Mirpur: The Raw Truth (From a North Dhaka Movie Junkie)

One Light Journal Bangladesh

Editor Insight

March 11, 2020

Let’s cut the corporate fluff. I’ve been watching films here since they were still fixing the leaky roof in 2017. Just hard truths about Mirpur’s only decent cinema, warts and all – Star Cineplex Mirpur.

Why This Guide is Different

  • Written by someone who’s snuck in 12 samosas in one year
  • Knows which seats actually recline (spoiler: not all of them)
  • Has the manager’s personal number from complaining 17 times

Location: How to Actually Get There

Google Maps Lies:

  • Shows entrance at main road (real one’s around back)
  • “5 minute walk from Mirpur-10” = 15 minute death march through construction

Pro Routes:

  • From Mirpur-10: Take the alley behind Bashundhara Kitchen (saves 10 mins)
  • From Gulshan: Uber costs BDT 350 but driver will get lost 3 times

Parking Secrets:

  • Basement parking fills by 7PM
  • Guards take BDT 50 under the table for “VIP parking” near elevator

Ticket Prices in Star Cineplex Mirpur: The Real Math

“Premium” Seats:

  • Cost BDT 200 more
  • Give you 1.5 inches extra legroom
  • Same stained upholstery as regular seats

VIP Scam:

  • Promised “luxury recliners”
  • Half are broken (test before sitting)
  • Last time I went, mine wouldn’t sit upright for whole movie

Food: What’s Edible vs. What’s Poison

Actually Good:

  • Spicy popcorn (ask for extra masala) – BDT 220
  • Chicken burger (only if made fresh) – BDT 350

Hospital Trip:

  • Nachos cheese (tastes like motor oil)
  • Any “ice cream” that’s half liquid

Snack Smuggling 101:

  • Hoodie pockets = 2 samosas
  • Girl’s handbag = full meal deal
  • Baby stroller = unlimited smuggling

Seat Map: The Ugly Truth

Best Seat:

  • E12 (dead center, perfect view)
  • Always booked by scalpers

Worst Seats:

  • A1-A5 = neck pain guaranteed
  • Extreme right/left = screen looks bent

VIP Section Dirty Secret:

  • Same teenagers making out as regular seats
  • Just costs BDT 500 more to watch them

Sound System in Star Cineplex Mirpur: Overhyped?

Dolby Atmos Reality Check:

  • 10% of movies actually use it properly
  • 90% sound same as other branches
  • Bass so loud it shakes loose fillings

Special Events: Worth It?

Midnight Shows:

  • BDT 1,500 ticket
  • Comes with:
    • Sleep deprivation
    • Overpriced coffee
    • Regret next morning

Classic Movie Nights:

  • Only 12 people show up
  • Projector always has issues

Staff Secrets

  1. Ticket Sellers:
    • Will give better seats for BDT 50 tip
  2. Security Guys:
    • Don’t care about small snacks
    • Will stop full biryani feasts
  3. Cleaners:
    • Same 3 guys since 2016
    • Never actually clean sticky floors

Questions from readers

Q: Can I get refund for bad movie?
A: Only if you cry loudly for 30 mins

Q: Why always cold?
A: AC set to “Siberian winter” mode

Q: Best time to avoid kids?
A: Weekdays after 10PM (just you and 3 insomniacs)

Q: Are seats clean?
A: Bring wet wipes and pray

Q: Why no online discounts?
A: Because they hate saving you money

Is it worth?

Star Cineplex Mirpur is:
✔ Best option in North Dhaka
✔ Marginally better than Bashundhara branch
✔ Only place with edible popcorn

But remember:

  • Check seat buttons before sitting
  • Wear jacket for Arctic AC
  • Smuggle snacks or go bankrupt

*See you at E12 – I’m the guy with smuggled kebabs under my seat.*

star cineplex
Star Cineplex

Star Cineplex Mirpur: Uncensored FAQs (From Someone Who’s Smuggled Samosas 37 Times)

1. “Is the VIP section actually VIP?”

  • Reality: Just regular seats that recline (sometimes)
  • Secret: The “VIP” stands for Very Imperfect Positioning
  • Pro Tip: Check seat mechanics before buying – 1 in 5 are broken

2. “Why does the popcorn cost more than my ticket in Star Cineplex Mirpur?”

Breakdown of BDT 250 popcorn:

  • BDT 20 = Actual corn
  • BDT 80 = Butter that never appears
  • BDT 150 = “Cinema experience” tax

3. “Can I really not bring outside food?”

Official Rule: No outside food
Unofficial Enforcement:
Allowed: Small snacks in pockets
Grey Area: Wrapped burgers if hidden well
Banned: Full family-sized biryani pots

4. “Why are 3D glasses always greasy?”

  • Last cleaned: 2018 (allegedly)
  • Current state: Fingerprint museum
  • Pro move: Bring lens wipes or risk pink eye

5. “Is the AC really that cold?”

Temperature Guide:

  • Summer outside: 35°C
  • Cinema inside: Siberian winter
  • Actual reason: Makes you buy BDT 150 paper blankets

6. “What’s with the random power cuts?”

Patterns noticed:

  • Always during climactic scenes
  • Coincides with Mirpur load shedding schedule
  • Suspiciously frequent when attendance is low

7. “Are the ‘luxury seats’ actually clean?”

Inspection Findings:

  • 60% chance of mystery stains
  • 30% chance of stuck chewing gum
  • 10% chance of whole previous meal

8. “Why does the sound cut out sometimes in Star Cineplex Mirpur?”

Technical Reasons:

  1. Projector guy fell asleep
  2. Dolby Atmos system overheating
  3. Unpaid electricity bills

9. “Can I book specific seats at counter?”

Truth:

  • Online: Pick exact seats
  • Counter: “Best available” means worst remaining
  • Life hack: Bribe ticket guy with snacks for better seats

10. “Why do Bangladeshi movies start late?”

Actual Schedule:

  • Showtime: 8:00 PM
  • Ads start: 8:20 PM
  • Movie starts: 8:45 PM (if you’re lucky)

11. “What’s the best smuggling spot?”

Contraband Locations:
Hoodie pockets (2 samosas max)
Girlfriend’s handbag (full meal deal)
Baby stroller (unlimited capacity)

12. “Are student discounts real?”

How It Works:

  • With ID: 15% off
  • Without ID: “Come back with guardian”
  • Reality: Depends if ticket seller had breakfast

13. “Why is parking so chaotic?”

Parking Hierarchy:

  1. Mall staff cars
  2. Police uncle’s relatives
  3. You (if space remains)

14. “Can I refund a bad movie?”

Refund Process:

  1. Complain for 20 minutes
  2. Get offered stale popcorn instead
  3. Leave in defeat

15. “Why do horror movies never scare anyone?”

Because:

  • Couple in back row ruins the vibe
  • Someone’s phone rings during climax
  • Censors cut all the good parts

Final Survival Tip

The real Star Cineplex experience isn’t about the movie – it’s about:

  • Battling Arctic AC
  • Outsmarting snack prices
  • Pretending VIP seats were worth it

Find me at the 8PM show – I’ll be the one with smuggled kebabs under Seat E12. Thanks for staying with One Light Journal Bangladesh

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