Bhubaneswar, July 10: People across the state will shortly be able to enjoy the pleasures of watching films in the theatre, that too without burning a hole in their pockets.
Picture Time, a firm based in New Delhi, has started the concept to make sure people in the country's rural areas are not deprived of life's little pleasures and allow them to enjoy the latest releases. They have come up with makeshift mobile theatres where they will screen all the latest releases with tickets prices being extremely affordable for people of rural areas. Alongside screening films, they will also create awareness on various social issues.
The company already has 10 such units and they have hosted shows in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
The mobile theatres, with a seating capacity of 120 to 150, can be used as a medium to spread messages on social issues such as development and education, apart from meeting the shortage of theatres for entertainment in rural areas. The price of tickets start from Rs 30, which makes it an intriguing prospect for film lovers, especially in the rural districts of the country.
The 54X25ft theatre, also called Digiplexes, includes Dolby digital sound and a 18X7ft screen. "We first started the venture in Goa in 2015. In other states, these theatres are quite popular in rural areas for the low price of tickets," said Lokesh Chaudhury, marketing and operation head of Picture Time.
"We are here to demonstrate to the state government and are trying to invite the chief minister to our theatre. These makeshift mobile cinema theatres are like tents and can be put up anywhere," said Lokesh. The theatres are also air-conditioned and water and fireproof. There is also have space for interaction after the screening.
A few senior officers from different state government departments have already visited the makeshift theatres to check its usability prospects in the state.
"Whenever we conduct any programme in rural areas, we face the problem of space crunch and technical expertise. We have to pitch a tent, hire a videographer or big-screen operators. But this seems to be a nice alternative in rural areas. The facility is good and affordable," said a senior official of the Odisha Skill Development Mission, who went to see the demonstration of the mobile cinema theatre.
City filmmakers welcomed the step. "I hope the state government puts it up. We have not been able to reach out to a huge audience because of lack of theatres. I feel this problem will be solved to some extent," said Devesh Pani, a filmmaker.
