Virtual Virtuoso

Technical glitches in Pune prevented people from interacting with the star. Nevertheless,they were able to hear the interactions from other cities. Every time either Sachin or Shriya spoke,their responses were met with loud cheers,claps and whistles. The main screen was split,with the duo taking up one half,and the audience from the cities taking up the other. Sachin spoke about how the entire concept of having a virtual premiere was important as he could reach out to more people at the same time. “We always show the films first to the industry professionals because they are involved in making them,but we make the films for the audiences so they deserve to see the film in a premier. The idea of the virtual premiere was born out of that,” he says.

Shifting focus to another upcoming film Zapatlela 2,which releases on June 7,Mahesh Kothare,the producer of the film has another idea up his sleeve. In tying up with a radio channel,they will be holding a general preview of the film on June 5,where the winners of the contest will get to watch the film with its entire star cast. Kothare says,“The audience is always central to any film and its commercial success. As a result we decided to have a general preview of the film. After this,they will be able to interact with the stars of the film,” he says.

These concepts are helpful in reaching out to a mass audience,as was the case with Riteish Deshmukh’s Balak Palak,which had its premiere in January at Sona Gold in Borivali East,Fun Fiesta in Nalasopara,Gold Digital in Thane,West,Prabhat in Pune and Big Rama theatre in Latur.

UFO Movies India had showcased the film using satellite technology. The idea of showing movies in this manner is to maximise its projection,especially to the rural audiences.

“Anything that helps in maximising the reach of the film should be taken up by filmmakers,” says Sachin.