Dona Planet on GS Road, where the region’s first multiplex will be inaugurated on Friday. Picture by Eastern Projections

May 10: Cinema viewing in the city would be a whole new experience after the region’s first multiplex — Cinemax —starts its operation tomorrow.

Actress Tanushree Dutta will inaugurate the two-screen multiplex with 500-seat capacity at Dona Planet on GS Road. Governor Lt Gen. (retd) Ajai Singh will be the guest of honour at the launch.

The multiplex will start its operation with an offbeat Hindi movie, Good Boy Bad Boy.

Abani Das, an eminent architect who brought the concept of multiplex to the city, today said it was a long felt need of a city like Guwahati. He said the multiplex would go a long way in enhancing the brand image of the city.

“The multiplex will be a symphony of style with a front foyer and intelligent lighting along with top-of-the-line amenities. An acoustic sound system will enhance the experience of watching movies. There are 19 recliner seats for each screen, where the patrons can sink into the cozy sofas and enjoy a personalised cafe service while enjoying the movies,” he said.

Das said the price of tickets at Cinemax would be less than those in the other metropolitan cities of the country. The muptiplex will also offer services like e-ticketing and home delivery of tickets. While the main shows will be between 11 am and 9.30 pm, there will be late evening shows for convenience of those who work late.

Though Cinemax was ready in December last year, it could not start functioning for want of a state government policy and set of rules to allow a multiplex to operate. The government, however, framed the set of rules last month, which has later been approved by the cabinet.

The Cinemax got the licence to operate this month.

Das said the multiplex would screen regional movies to suit preferences of all its patrons.

Devang Sampat, vice-president of Cinemax India Ltd, one of the largest exhibition theatre chains in India, said the organisation was impressed with the infrastructures available at Dona Planet.

“The Cinemax has come to the city to give the best of entertainment. Besides screening movies, we will provide many other amenities, including massage parlour, Internet café and games zones to the public. Celebrities from Mumbai will be invited to the multiplex at regular intervals,” he said.

He said Cinemax Guwahati would try to organise some premiere shows besides screening the best of Hollywood and Bollywood movies.

The news of opening the first multiplex has brought cheers among the movie buffs, who are fed up with the poor infrastructure in many cinema halls in the city.

“I have not watched any movie on a big screen for the past two years. A multiplex was a long felt need in a fast growing city like Guwahati,” said Tanima Chatterjee, an executive.