Changing the landscape of film screening

It is not merely a bitter ruthless competition that exists out there in the hugely professional market but more a case appropriate for Darwin’s ‘Survival of the fittest’ syndrome. This is not only applicable to trade and industry but also to the world of sports and entertainment.

If sports is all about one’s individual skills and potentialities, in showbiz, it is all about how sensible one is to the dramatic changes as and when they unfold, particularly the advancements made abroad and how much of that can be replicated in India.

The introduction of newer formats both in terms of cinematic presentations and also theatres to screen them have ushered in a sea-change in the very concept of filmmaking.

In India, where on the one side many reckon cinema as the best pastime, to millions of others it is a compulsive stress-buster and an addiction that can never wither.

As this craze can never die, filmmakers and the best of creative minds have been redefining the art and craft of producing films.

Given that the magic of watching a movie still holds mass appeal, industry-driven entrepreneurs are keeping pace with platforms that have changed with the advancement of technologies to the extent that the size of the screens have shrunk down to mobile screens.

What comes as music to the ears is that global statistics indicate that box-office revenues are on a constant increase, including in India.

What cannot be denied is that managing conventional theatres and even multiplexes, which are economic variables, is cumbersome.

The added problem is that there has been a dramatic fall in the number of single screen theatres across the two Telugu-speaking States to the extent that close to 1,300 theatres closed shop with some ending up as function halls, including in Hyderabad and Vijayawada.

Coming as a messiah to the harrowed distributors and others in the industry is Balwanth Singh, who is gradually earning repute as a crusader for their cause.

By founding the Hyderabad-headquartered Kauphy Talkies Pvt Ltd, Singh, and for one who has decades of standing as a distributor/exhibitor, is striving to keep the flock together with his avowed promotion of mini-theatres.

The regular theatres are not registering packed houses because of the cost factor. The middle class is hesitating to shell down huge amounts to watch a film on the big screen.

To the small-budget filmmakers, mini-theatres are a godsend facility. The experience will be as equally enjoyable as the thrill one gets while in the traditional full-fledged theatre or a multiplex.

A win-win situation for all
The biggest advantage of putting in place a less than 200-people theatre over a 3,000 sq ft area is that it is cost-effective and translates into a win-win situation to all those involved-from the maker, distributor to the film-goer.

“It can come up in neighbourhood community halls, recreation centres, within gated communities or even bus stands,” points out Singh, who received a shot in the arm when the APSRTC provided him with ample space in the vicinity of the Vijayawada bus terminus.

Singh contends that with cities and towns growing their boundaries and with new colonies taking shape in the nooks and corners, there was a need to have a cinema screen close by, which makes for a strong case for establishing mini theatres that will provide a neat and clean ambience, wash rooms and a small food court.

The main architect of the mini theatre concept is doing the rounds meeting industry representatives and government officials for providing unused lands to set up mini theatres.

Singh says, “We want to thank the management of both TSRTC and APSRTC for coming forward and accepting the proposal. The Vijayawada project, which was done as a pilot, is hugely successful.

I am indebted to Yarlagadda Ratnakumar, who invested in the project after I spoke about its merits. In a way, his wholehearted support has given birth to “Y Screens” which is taking the concept forward and on its own.”
Industry benefits

On the feasibility of mini theatres and its benefits to the industry, Singh reasons, “Mini Theatres can be game-changers.

They offer multilingual content to the consumer; a platform for emerging new-age filmmakers who can experiment with content driven films as they do not have to bother to fill in huge capacity theatres; encourage new talent of filmmakers, actors, technicians to experiment with the media and the government in terms of earning tax-revenues and for creating employment.”

About the investments into the project, Singh points out that they are in talks with PE investment companies, high net worth individuals and some existing film exhibition companies.

“My aim is to spearhead the concept into newer vistas and ensure that at least 2,000 mini theatres will mushroom in the initial stages,” says Singh.

Kauphy Talkies is set to revolutionise the concept of watching films. It uses technology that it has developed and makes economic sense as it functions via the internet!

“The response is very encouraging,” explains Singh while reassuring all and sundry that “there is room for everybody and every player.”