Popcorn, pyjamas and new friends: Inside Hyderabad’s watch party scene

From nostalgic rom-coms and pyjama-themed screenings to conversations about favourite fictional characters, women-only watch parties are turning movie nights into opportunities for friendship and community‘Watch parties take online conversations into a real space’For content creator Dimpy Singh, watch parties turn online fandoms into in-person connections. “I remember posting about Conrad Fisher and wondering whether anyone else was as invested in him as I was. The responses made me realise that the internet can be a wonderful place to find people who share your interests,” she says, referring to The Summer I Turned Pretty character. She also credits the rewatch value of 2000s rom-coms such as The Holiday, Notting Hill and Two Weeks Notice. “I love the idea of watch parties because they take those online connections and bring them into a real space. Women can sit together, talk about their favourite characters, disagree about a storyline, come up with theories and simply enjoy being around people who understand their enthusiasm.”

Women can sit together, talk about their favourite characters, disagree about a storyline, come up with theories and simply enjoy being around people who understand their enthusiasm

– Dimpy Singh

‘The movie becomes a common ground for strangers to open up’At a recent gathering hosted by The Social Brew, an apartment café in Khajaguda, Mean Girls emerged as the winner of a movie poll. “At our recent gathering, the conversation went far beyond the film, drifting into childhood favourites, 2000s chick flicks and the movies we grew up watching,” says host Darani Janarthanan. The theme was ‘PJs with a Touch of Whimsy’, with guests adding playful elements to their cosy outfits.“The beauty of watch parties is that people don’t have to start from scratch when it comes to connecting. The movie becomes a common ground, making it easier for strangers to open up and discover shared interests,” she says. Janarthanan says the women-only format was intended to ensure everyone felt safe and comfortable in a relaxed home setting. “To me, watch parties offer a different kind of social experience — one where a shared love for films can become the beginning of meaningful friendships.”

‘We wanted to create a space where women could feel safe and comfortable’Watch party organiser Heena began hosting gatherings around the time the final season of Stranger Things was approaching. “I wanted to create an intimate, sleepover-like space where 15–20 girls could come together, feel safe and comfortable, and perhaps leave with a few new friendships. Most of them arrive solo, and watching strangers bond over shared interests is one of the most rewarding parts of hosting,” she says.Her favourite remains a screening of Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses. “Everyone turned up in pink and white, and for a few hours, we were transported back to childhood. In the rush of everyday life, we often forget to make room for these little joys. For me, these gatherings have never been just about watching a movie; they’re about building a community, finding friendship, and reconnecting with the things that once made us happy,” she adds.