Cuttack, Sept. 7: Grand cinema, the iconic theatre hall on Mahatab Road here, reopened after eight years today as a swanky, new facility.

Though Grand started its journey today as a single-screen theatre, plans are afoot to turn it into a multiplex.

Dipak Samantray, managing director of Samantraj Films Private Limited, told The Telegraph that emphasis had been given to ensure that audience got a level of comfort at the theatre that was unmatched in the town.

The renovated Grand cinema, which has a seating capacity of 365 people, is equipped with 7.5 Dolby digital sound systems, air-conditioners and 2k projectors.

The cinema, which was established in 1969, had an initial seating capacity of 951. In 1994, the capacity was reduced to 795 seats.

"We have spent more than Rs 3 crore to procure the latest equipment. We have also tried our best to give the audience more comfort and a better viewing experience," said Samantray.

Grand had stopped screening of films in 2008 to start the renovation. However, the work started only in 2013.

The cinema hall authorities had earlier filed an application seeking renewal of licence to restart screening of movies. But, police had rejected the application in July and the matter was then challenged in court.

Grand cinema has installed fire radiant carpets and fire extinguishers for the safety of the audience. Besides, work for installation of advanced smoke and fire alarms and water tank is expected to be completed by October.

"Our licence application was initially rejected due to some communication gaps. However, we have already complied with the basic guidelines while adequate measures have also been taken for installing advanced fire fighting measures at the cinema," Samantray added.

The other cinema hall run by Samantraj Films Private Limited, Nishamani Hall, will also go for renovation shortly.

Once Cuttack city had 14 cinemas. However, only five of them - Brindaban, Jayshree, Samrat, Nishamani and Sangam - are functioning now.

Sangam cinema hall was renovated in October 2014 as the first multiplex of the city.

Another multiplex with four screens is expected to come up at the site of the Durga Devi cinema hall by the end of the year.

Six cinema halls that could not modernise themselves with time and were forced to down their shutters were Rajatarangini, Jyoti, Suraj, Prabhat, Capital and Hind.

"Cuttack was once the hub for entertainment as there were several cinema halls. The golden period for cinemas is likely to be revived here as several old theatres are being modernised," said Pratap Das, a resident of Dolamundai.