Page 57 - June2018

cinema

• no show Annually 2,000 films
are produced in India but less than
400 find theatrical release

entertainment to as many
rural stretches as possible.
“In cities, people rarely
watch a movie more than
once. In the rural areas, they
watch a movie many times
over. We have 55 percent
occupancy…when I am asked,
what is the milestone I see in
next three years? My answer
is 3,000 units in three years
and issuing IPO in 2021.”
PictureTime does carry
essential ingredients to at-
tract the masses-average
price of the tickets between
30 and 50, sitting ar-
rangement akin to that of
an air-conditioned theatre
and popcorn and cold drinks
available at market price.
What a journey for this
young man. Starting off
impacted states and will roll out our With hundreds of from a small town of Uttar Pradesh,
DigiPlexes in a couple of months to Sushil Chaudhary first travelled
these areas.” films and millions to Latin America to work in the IT
Talking about the hurdles he and of filmgoers sector and then came back to New
his team face, he said, “The biggest Delhi and set up PictureTime…How-
challenge is operations in the rural across the ever, even now one more role is left
belts. We are trying to hire locals, country, it seems to be played by him, that of young
wherein, we train local staff to learn Biswajit Chatterjee! Yes, the resem-
the setup operations and slowly unbelievable that blance is so stark that any Bolly-
with the help of Local ITI’s we are wood producer could sign him! I
overcoming this challenge. We have we are lagging am more than tempted to forecast
an end to end monitoring system behind in terms his future: ‘Picture Man’ manning
for all the screenings.” ‘PictureTime .
On the Bollywood’s reaction on of film screening As I end this column, I sit won-
the PictureTime, he said, “Bollywood platforms! dering why young men and women
has loved PictureTime, famous of our country don’t try to reach out
actors like Shraddha Kapoor, Alia to those living in the conflict zones
Bhatt, Tapsee Panu, Satish Kaushik, and rural belts of India. We should
Boney Kapoor have appreciated than 400 find theatrical release. We reach out to them in any given way-
the concept after experiencing hope to have 3,000 trucks by the low cost entertainment, sanitation,
it… Satish Kaushik is planning his end of this year and the numbers healthcare, literacy, counselling,
next release on PictureTime... Film will keep increasing. Then we can food and drinking water facility or
producers feel that this is going to help with more films being released simply spread around the basics to
be boon for this industry, especially and producers are happy with this a secure and peaceful and hassle-
for regional cinema and produc- prospect.” free day to day living.
ers …Annually 2,000 movies are Seeing the overwhelming
produced across India and less response, he plans to expand, taking letters@tehelka.com

Tehelka / 15 june 2018 57 www.Tehelka.com

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