Digitization renders film reels redundant

MUMBAI: The old cinema-on-reels prints are fast becoming redundant as new films are distributed through digital prints. The production of analogue film prints is just 25% of a film’s total print run. Trade pundits predicted a dip in the number of analog prints in the next three years.
For Jodha Akbar, released in 2008, the number of analog prints was double of digital prints.By the time Rajneeti hit the screens in 2009, digital prints were 60% of the film’s total print run. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara had nearly 75% digital prints in 2011.
On Friday, Agneepath released in 1,100 out of 1,888 digital screens. Apurva Mehta of Dharma Production said, “Modernisation of existing cinemas and growth of multiplexes have led to a higher number of digital prints being used with each successive film. There is a considerable saving in costs and better control on piracy.”
Rajesh Mishra of UFO Moviez said, “Older technology always gives way to new ones, it is just following the gradient. Currently, only a few hundred cinemas across India screen analog prints.”
In big films, the ratio of digital to analog is about 65-75%. For a mid\small sized Hindi film though the ratio for digital goes up to 85-90%. Operations head of Fun Cinemas Vishal Anand said, “Digitalisation revolution started about three years back when tech service providers realized the potential of B and C towns. That’s where the numbers are adding on. The new plexes are equipped with digital 2K projection and the old plex screens are being converted to the same platform.”
The growth of multiplexes in cities like Mumbai and Delhi has almost come to a saturation point. Both cities have seen growth in the last decade. Further growth is hampered by factors, including prohibitive real estate costs. Tier two cities like Surat, Jaipur, Indore, Lucknow, Ludhiana and Patna have seen growth in multiplex screens. About 30 out of 56 screens to be added this year would be in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. An industry source said, “The business from smaller centres is getting bigger and better. So, more actors are doing city tours to connect with the audience of these centres.”
Producers are opting for digital releases for commercial and economic reasons. Siddharth Roy Kapur of UTV Motion Picture said, “The transition from analogue to digital prints has been at a frenetic pace over the past few years. This has helped producers and distributors to substantially reduce average per print costs. It has also increased theatrical penetration in smaller centres, mainly in locations that were unable to justify the cost of an analogue print earlier. It has helped smaller theatre owners get back into business.” Distributors can now absorb the cost of a digital print in these locations, which earlier seemed unviable.
Vijay Singh of Fox Studios said, “Spread of digital prints is no longer confined to B and C centers. Upmarket multiplexes in Mumbai and Delhi also have digital print screening. We see the trend growing. Most of the multiplexes now have twin infrastructures — they can play digital and analog prints.”
Each analog print cost a minimum Rs 50,000 and digital print costs Rs 10,000. Amod Mehra said, “It is a huge saving for producers and distributors. Earlier, we released only a few hundred prints. Today, it has crossed 2,000 and distributors don’t have big enough godowns to house them. Storage of films is not a priority today as most of them digitise films. So, they save on storage and maintenance cost.”
Earlier, film reels had resale value. Now, they don’t bring returns to the distributor or a producer. A manager from a film distribution company said, “Till the early 1990s, film prints had silver iodide and hence had resale value. They were sold at Rs 40 a kg. Now, a physical print is made of polyster which gives you negligible return. Distributors advise exhibitors to destroy physical prints to prevent piracy.” Digital cinema helps wider release by satellite transmission and curbs piracy by not allowing the content to be leaked as it is encrypted.
Film – Singham
Physical Prints – 423
Digital Prints – 1207
Total – 1630
Film – Bodyguard
Physical Prints – 585
Digital Prints – 1479
Total – 2064
Film – DON 2
Physical Prints – 478
Digital Prints – 1970
Total – 2448
Ra.One
Digital 2517
Physical 583
Total 3100
Rockstar
Digital 1636
Physical 364
Total 2,000