Kalabhavan’s new avatar

After a thorough facelift, the government-owned Kalabhavan theatre at Vazhuthacaud in the city has been opened to the public a day before the commencement of IFFK 2012.

Minister for Cinema K B Ganesh Kumar inaugurated the 408-seat KSFDC theatre on Thursday amidst praises from the film fraternity and bureaucrats for finishing the work in a record 120 days. “This happened in Kerala and it is a perfect example to show the world that the public sector can set a model to the private sector in completing a work in stipulated time. We can follow the same trend in the case of Kochi Metro if we want,” the Minister said.

“The compound tax system will be introduced soon with ticketing machines and this will benefit the local bodies with an additional revenue income by four times,” he added.

Modernisation works worth Rs 1.5 crore have turned the 28-year-old theatre into a state-of-the-art facility in the city. The facilities include 2K digital projection with 3D screening, 7.1 surround sound, luxury seats, imported silver screen, hi-tech sensor systems to toilet cleaning and lighting and  surveillance camera inside the auditorium to keep a vigil over antisocial elements.

The theatre, which turned slim after shedding more than 100 seats, will be made a releasing centre soon. Another mini theatre for the film fraternity will be opened at the Chalachitra Academy on December 20 with THX sound system and world-class sound seating. “This will be mainly used for censoring purposes,” said the Minister.

The three theatres in the Kairali complex will be opened on  Friday after renovation and films with high quality sound system will be screened at all the four theatres of KSFDC in the city on December 19 and 20, the Minister announced.

Renowned film-maker Adoor Gopalakrishnan expressed his happiness over the manner in which the words of the Minister for Cinema turned into reality. “Normally, achievements are neglected at a time when only bad news make good headlines,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, actor Suresh Gopi said the present state government is taking a deviation from the usual practice of governments by implementing the promises made to the electorate from the first year itself, without waiting for the last year of its term.