Surround Sound

If you’re a fan of Johnny Depp and his cult film Pirates of the Caribbean, you could get a home theatre system based on that theme,complete with wall panels that resemble a pirate ship and a rear wall that displays a menacing skull and bones flag. Some clever lighting provides an illusion of sailing on rough seas and a deep blue ceiling portrays the sky. You can almost transport yourself to the midst of the Caribbean if you’re willing to spend a whopping Rs 50 lakh and you have a clear 500 sq ft area. “We custom make home theatres based on popular films where all the props are based on the theme chosen ,” says Himanshu Kumar of Mini Theaters,based in Delhi who’s been specialising in home theatres for 18 years now.

Fancy home theatres are hardly new to India,but its only recently that people have begun to show interest in theme based spaces. Usually,hit science fiction movies are favourite themes for residences; currently,Star Wars and Apollo 13 are popular. “We work around the space,provide drawings to customers on exactly how their home theatre will look,” says Virender Kumar,an interior decorator,who started six months ago and provides the theme based home theatres relatively cheaper,at between Rs 5-10 lakh. He has sold six units so far,that include a theme based on a Rajasthani look that he calls ‘Rajwara’,and space age— a minimalist design with a huge galaxy in the room. Virender recently installed a theatre for a diplomat based in Gurgaon on a party theme. “We had a large basement which now comprises a theatre with Italian leather seating,a dance floor and a separate bar enclosure with high stools,” explains Virender. Himanshu,meanwhile is offering five options including an Egyptian theme called ‘Pharaoh’s Aisle’ that duplicates ancient Egypt,complete with sandstone columns and mummies cast in fibre glass along the wall. The price is steep,between Rs 45-60 lakh,excluding the cost of the plasma screen and amplifiers. Electronic gadgets used are of top brands like Mordaunt Short and Bang & Olufsen. “You’ll never need to go to a movie hall again,” says Abhimanyu Kavadia,Business Development Manager,B&O. If you can afford it,the next big flick isn’t coming merely to a theatre near you; it’s coming home.

Contact: Virender Kumar: 23513141;
Mini Theatres: 43564656,
B&O: 41680450