HYDERABAD: The Telugu film industry has identified several locations such as bus stations, market yards and government offices where 'mini-theatres' that it has proposed can come up. Also called 'compact theatres', the mini-theatres will have a seating capacity between 50 and 300 seats.
The Telangana Producers and Mini Theatres Owners' Cooperative Society made a representation to the government for the purpose. The society will bring to the notice of the government the feasibility of the idea. The government on its part has shown interest in the compact theatre concept.
"At Patancheru bus stand, we found enough unused space in the building to accomodate a mini-theatre. There is also space at the Rathifile bus station in Secunderabad. Similarly, there are many bus stations across the state where compact theatres can come up," vice-president of the association Allani Sridhar said.
While the government is expected to provide building space available wherever possible for a nominal rate, compact theatres owners will have to arrive at ticket prices that are lower than multiplexes.
"The film viewing experience will be like a multiplex, but ticket rates could be 50 per cent lower comparatively," Sridhar, also a film producer and director, said.
Small film producers have for long complained of a problem getting big theatres for their releases. Most theatres are run by individuals who have taken them on lease from owners. It is these lease-holders who call the shots.
When set up, compact theatres are expected to enable small film producers screen their films. The theatre owner society is in fact giving membership to producers interested in making small budget films.
The compact theatre concept could even help film directors choosing local themes and targetting rural and district audiences.
Recently, the Telangana government approved a plan wherin for every five shows be screened in theatres, one would exclusively be set aside for budget films.
The idea is the encourage local talent and local subjects in films, which would benefit the industry too.
"Along with all this, schemes meant for the public could also be publisided in small screen theatres," Sridhar said.