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The hall for all... finally
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In the age of multiplexes, the all-new Vishal cinema hopes to attract film freaks with its unique comforts and competitive admission rates, informs RANA A. SIDDIQUI... .
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Photos: Shiv Kumar Phuspakar
SETTING LOFTY STANDARDS: A scene at North Delhi's Vishal cinema which has brought down the admission rates this summer
THE HALL was reverberating with life. "Heer Ranjha", starring Raj Kumar and Priya Rajvansh was screened here. Cinemagoers had lined up to buy tickets at Rs.4 for balcony, Rs.3.60 and 2.40 for upper and lower stalls, respectively. The film was a stupendous hit. All its 1474 seats were full for numerous weeks. It was 1970, when this newly-built North-Delhi cinema hall, Vishal, screened this film. It was the first film to be shown here. Its later days saw "Aasha" starring Reena Roy, Jeetendra and Rameshwari and "Chota Chetan" running for 11 weeks. And "Laila Majnu", "Don" and "Ganga Jamuna Saraswati" brought huge crowd to this hall making it famous for screening big films.
At some point of time, its managers even thought of converting its single-screen to twin screen but the idea remained on paper only.
Now with changing definitions of style and cinema viewing, Vishal is undergoing a transformation: it will be "totally renovated luxurious Cineplex," as Girish Johar, the Head Marketing, Vishal Cineplex, Eros Group puts it.
This new look will bestow on it the status of the "country's largest single-screen cinema hall with 1401 seats" having glossy marble and granite flooring and leather push back seats "for all the rows" while usually in cineplexes only a few front rows are given that comfort touch as it an expensive affair. It will have latest Sony digital sound system. Spread across 5500 square metres, the cineplex will be centrally air-conditioned. It will also have a picture-poster library.
People still have not forgotten the Uphaar Tragedy for lack of proper safety norms, has Vishal kept in its agenda the required safety norms?
"We are adhering to cent per cent safety measures, with latest fire-fighting equipments. We have 10 exits in the stall area and five at balcony. We have taken great care that at no place, any loose electric ends are left and all sensitive places have been converted to no-smoking area," assured Girish, adding that the required distance from the seats to screen has also been also taken care of.
The hall will also bring good news for movie buffs. At two stalls, one at balcony and another at the upper stall, there will be two well-lit concession stands selling fast food at affordable rates. And importantly tickets rates here will not begin with Rs.100. They will be concessional. From this coming Friday they are reducing the balcony ticket price from Rs.80 to 65, upper stall will cost Rs.50, middle stall for 30 and first class, Rs.25.
"Rates have been revised to make it more pocket-friendly for an average movie-goer as well as for reasons of summer vacations during which many who cannot leave Delhi, would like to enjoy films on the big screen," says Girish. Now cine-lovers can watch "Armaan" that Vishal is going to screen this coming Friday, in these revised rates. "Jaal" and "Bhoot" are also lined up for release.
Most cineplexes in Delhi are keeping higher prices to stay in competition with each other. "Now we have given them competition. It is simple economics. No family with even four members would like to go to cinema hall to spend Rs.100 each, have some fast food and go home with an empty pocket. Because of low admission rates we are getting viewers from as far places as South, West Delhi and even Gurgaon," claims Girish.
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