Bhubaneswar, April 28: Laughter, screams and jitters marked the opening day of Amazing 7D Rider Cinema, the city’s first 7D theatre at Saheed Nagar.

Intrigued by the concept of 7D, people made a beeline outside the facility to watch customised short films.

The opening ceremony was a star-studded affair with several known faces from the Odisha film industry — actors Akash Dasnayak, Budhaditya Mohanty, Sunil Kumar, Debasis Patra and actresses Poonam, Usasi Mishra and Prakruti Mishra — turning up for the event. All of them were impressed with the 7D technology. Mumbai-based actress Parvati Nirban also attended the inaugural show.

“My family members had seen films in 7D in Hong Kong and told me about it. But somehow, I always found the concept childish and never went to see it. Now that I have seen it here, I liked it very much. Smooth traffic and greenery were always the city’s highlights but new malls, restaurants, multiplex and now 7D theatre have given Bhubaneswar a much-needed facelift,” said Budhaditya Mohanty, film and television actor.

Akash, whose Mita Basichi Mu Bhuta Sathire — the first 3D Odia film — is ready for release, also could not stop praising Amazing Rider. Despite his packed schedule for shoots, he stayed back and watched both the films screened today. Other celebrities too gave rave reviews about the theatre.

But it wasn’t just the who’s who that liked the show, children and college goers too appeared impressed. “I have seen a show at a 7D theatre in Calcutta. It may not be as grand here but I enjoyed every moment of the experience. I watched the film along with friends and we were screaming and laughing the whole time. It was a memorable experience,” said architecture student Kavita Rana, 22.

The 16-seater theatre is running two shows at present — Rescue and Roller Coaster. While the former is about a tsunami and has all the 7D effects, the Roller Coaster uses the pneumatically operated seats to give viewers a ride to remember.

Each show — ranging between five and 15 minutes — has been priced at Rs 140 and a combo offer encapsulates both films at Rs 200. The first show begins at 10.30am while the last show is screened at 9.30pm. Director of Amazing 7D Rider Cinema Suren Mahapatra said: “Several films will be introduced after a month. At present, we can expect at least 100 people every day.”

One can also buy tickets from www.bookticketnow.com.

Though adults may have “just liked it”, kids went gaga about the never-seen-before films. Adarsh Mahapatra, a Class II student of a city school, said he had seen his favourite superhero film Iron Man 3 in 3D on Friday but the experience he got while watching Rescue was out of the world.

“First, water was splashed on my face, bubbles and snowflakes followed. The chairs jerked vigorously. It was thrilling!” said the delighted nine-year-old. Parents also welcomed the theatre as it gives them another destination to take their kids to on weekends.

As a precaution, pregnant women, heart patients and children below the age of three years will not be allowed inside the theatre.