Imagine an audience in a theatre almost able to feel the monsoon, with the pitter-patter of raindrops permeating their eardrums. Likewise, think of a film in which viewers think they are close to be shot down with bullets from a fast-approaching helicopter gunship.
Dolby Laboratories, known for its audio innovations has begun its tryst with theatres in Telugu-land with Screen 4 at Prasad’s Multiplex upgrading from version 5.1 to the latest ‘Atmos’. It began with Toofan, the dubbed version of Apoorva Lakhia’s Zanjeer starring Priyanka Chopra and Ramcharan Tej.
Touted as a significant innovation, an Atmos upgradation would cost a theatre between Rs.25 lakh to Rs.40 lakh, said Pankaj Kedia, Dolby’s country manager-India.
In just a year, it was welcomed by 200 screens and over 60 film titles, 20 sound mixing facilities across the world, he said, adding that popular titles included Life of Pi and Brave, he pointed out.
Currently, it is available at three theatres in Chennai, two in Mumbai, one in Coimbatore and now in Hyderabad, Mr. Kedia said. “This is complete 360 degree sound to envelop the viewer, including sound that hits you from the roof, what with 64 speakers and small, audio streams spewing out realistic sound,” he explained.
Ramesh Prasad, chairman, Prasad Media Corporation, said the feature was another feather in its cap.
