Small producers keen on 'neighbourhood theatres'

HYDERABAD: Small theatres with the latest sound technology and even screenings in circus tents in open spaces may soon be a reality in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The concept is being floated by the 'Telugu Chalanachithra Parirakshana Samithi', which wants to set up as many as 5,000 low-cost film screening facilities in the two states.
The concept of small theatres was studied in detail by four teams that went to Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Gujarat.The 20 members of the Samithi who toured these states have come up with concrete proposals on how to take forward their idea of making it more affordable for people to watch movies.
"In particular, our teams found circus tent-like structures put up in open spaces in Gujarat. We would like to adopt this even here," Chadalavada Srinivasa Rao, chairman of the Telugu Film Protection Committee, told TOI.
Six months ago, several producers had met and discussed the problems in getting theatres to release small budget films. This is because of the prevailing lease system, wherein a few individuals have a grip on theatres by taking them on lease. If films have to be released, producers have to approach these leaseholders, who may or may not make the theatres available to them.
It is to overcome this problem that small budget film producers have come up with the idea of neighbourhood theatres. Equipped with the latest sound technology, they can be set up with only Rs 20 lakh. The minimum seating capacity can be 50 and maximum 200. The space required would be 1,000 sq feet to 5,000 sq ft.
"The idea is becoming a reality. Such theatres will come up in Vijayawada soon. Some individuals have shown interest in taking it forward without any government help. They will set up the theatres in private properties," Srinivasa Rao said.
However, the Samithi will approach the AP and Telangana governments soon to explain the concept and see if the governments can provide land or space on lease at reasonable rates.
Technical aspects of projecting the film on to the screen are also being explored. As of now digital cinemas are projected through UFO, Cube and other such technology. In the latest technology that is being studied, the projection of new movies can take place by downloading it from the internet through a system that will be legal and technologically sound.