Cuttack’s first cineplex Sangam theatre after its launch on Friday. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Oct. 24: Aimed at providing an enhanced movie-watching experience, the city’s first cineplex has been inaugurated at Sangam cinema.

The 220-seat capacity cineplex, named Sangam screen-2, has been bestowed with all modern multiplex facilities and has come up at an estimated cost of Rs 1 crore.

“We had conducted a survey and found that only five per cent of the total population was keen to watch a movie in a theatre in the city. Our plan is to provide comfort to viewers,” said Sriram Pradhan, co-owner of the cineplex.

It is a well known fact that youngsters travel all the way to Bhubaneswar to watch movies at multiplexes due to the absence of theatres with such modern facilities in Cuttack.

Of the 11 theatres that are located in Cuttack, only five are functioning. The owners have complained of incurring losses due to a sharp drop in the turnout of viewers.

Equipped with 7.1 Dolby digital sound system, along with two-way screening projectors, moviegoers will also experience modern facilities that include advanced air cooling, pushback seats and lounge sofas, with ample space between seats at a reasonable price.

Moviegoers, who will opt for the imperial category, will have to shell out Rs 300 to enjoy watching films sitting on a luxury sofa.

Elite category viewers will have the comfort of pushback seats for Rs 220.

With this cineplex, the total seating capacity at Sangam theatre has gone up to 660. Of these, 440 seats will be available at screen-1 and 220 seats at screen-2.

The price of tickets at screen-1 has been pegged at Rs 140 (VIP), Rs 120 (universe), Rs 100 (galaxy) and Rs 60 (earth) category.

Moviegoers are also upbeat, as they can make online advance booking of tickets. The online service provides the facility to chose your seats.

The cineplex officials said eight shows, including four each at screen 1 and screen 2, would be shown on a daily basis.

There are also plans to have another screen.

“We are also coming up with a theme café for kids at the cineplex by November. Images, portraits and 3D themes of comic characters and superheroes such as Superman and Spiderman will come up shortly,” Pradhan said.