Single in the city

At present,Alankar projects 2D films through the 3D machine called Chirstie 2K,which results in a high definition picture and surround sound quality. “Previously we would use German technology,now we have switched to Japanese technology. The new 3D machine will allow us to download any movie through satellite and play it through the projector. We had a learning session with technicians and engineers who technological experts . Now we are well-versed to use it independently,” says Dipak Kakade,operator at Alankar,who has been an in-charge of the projector room since 1996.

The tough competition posed by the mushrooming multiplexes has inspired single-screen theatres of Pune to strike back with a new look,coupled with world-class technology and more shows. Over half a century old,situated on Moledina Road,the West End theatre has recently been renovated and will soon install a 3D projector . The theatre has fixed show timings for its four shows. “The fixed price sometimes plays to our advantage as well. People know that we won’t change our rates according to the movie or the time or availability,unlike the multiplexes that set different rates of shows based on these factors,” adds Sawant. The rates of the tickets are standardised except for the 12.40 pm show everyday which is at a discounted rate.

Ever since Victory Theatre in Camp has been taken over by E-Square in 2009,the single-screen theatre has gone through gradual changes and a massive renovation also of the canteen. We have removed our in-house kitchen and will be outsourcing food items,” says Rajkiran Yadav,manager at Victory. Yadav has witnessed the theatre going through various phases of business through 1992 when he was hired at the property. However,the upswing that Victory is seeing currently,he says,is the happiest one with eight shows a day from morning till late night “The tickets cost considerably less than the multiplexes,” says Yadav.