Pankaj Tripathi: Many regions don’t have the joy of watching films

Tripathi at the event

What would the movie viewing experience be like at 11,562 feet? Comfortable and enjoyable, hoped Sushil Chaudhary of PictureTime Digiplex as he launched the first moving theatre in Ladakh. On Sunday, actor Pankaj Tripathi unveiled the inflatable theatre that was installed at the NSD Grounds in Leh. The critically acclaimed short film, Sekool, was screened to the 70-member audience present on the occasion.

The theatre at the NSD Grounds

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Tripathi, who was joined by Thupstan Chhewang, president, Ladakh Buddhist Association, says the locals were jubilant to have a community-viewing experience. "So many regions of our country don't have the joy of watching films. It's incredible and heart-warming to see something like this come up in Ladakh. The people looked ecstatic. I am sure after [the pandemic subsides], this concept will flourish further," says the actor.

While the inflatable theatre is designed to seat 150, the imminent screenings will allow only 75 people per show to maintain social distancing and safety protocols. A special screening of Akshay Kumar's latest release, Bell Bottom, is slated for the Indian Army and the CISF. Chaudhary, founder and CEO, PictureTime Digiplex, says the move was prompted by his desire to bring a multiplex cinema-watching experience to the locals. "The idea has been to reach out to the entertainment dark spots of the country. Ladakh had been missing out on a big screen for some time. We aim to install two fixed cinema screens, and one moving cinema over the next month."

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