UFO opens two digital theatres in Thane

Mumbai, Dec 26 (IBNS) UFO Moviez India ltd, the world's largest satellite-based digital cinema network, on Monday announced the opening of two digital theatres in Maharashtra's Thane district.

"Two new theatres Abhishek Cinema (Kudus, Tal-Wada Chinchghar Road) and Ganesh Movie Max (NH-8, Mastan Naka, Manor, Palghar) have opened in Thane," said an official spokesperson.

Abhishek Cinema (Kudus) theatre situated is approximately 25 km from Bhiwandi and from the north side, 15 km from Wada. The Kudus village has a population of approximately around 25,000 people. It is the only theatre in the village.

The first theatre on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway (Thane District), Ganesh Movie Max (Manor) is located between Palghar, Boisar and Vikramgadh. Manor is a very small village but has captive audiences from surrounding areas.

Theatre owners Keshav G. Patil of Abhishek Cinema and Lucky Singh of Ganesh Movie Max said they are very happy with UFO's digital services after having taken the initiative of installing IMPACT ticketing.

UFO Moviez said it is helping to revive Marathi and other regional cinema in India through its satellite based delivery model to theatres across India and beyond metros.

The number of Marathi film playing theatres on the UFO Moviez network has increased to 323 as of December 2011, from 59 in the year 2006.

The total number of Marathi films released on the UFO Moviez network stands at 237 as of November 30, 2011, up from 11 in the year 2006. 72 Marathi films have released till date this year on the UFO Moviez digital network.

Marathi film 'Deool' released in 102 UFO digital theatres in the first week (November 4, 2011) and went on to screen in 275 theatres as on date. 'Morya' screened in 118 UFO digital theatres in the first week of release (August 19, 2011) and has played out to audiences in 267 UFO digital theatres till date.

In 2011, the first Marathi film to release in 100+ UFO digital theatres was Mahesh Manjrekar-produced Marathi film 'Faqta Ladh Mhana' (released on August 5, 2011).

In 2010, two other Marathi films - Paaaradh (released in August 2010) and 'Ideachi Kalpana' (released in December 2010) - opened to audiences in 100 or more UFO digital theatres in their first week.

The number of Marathi film playing theatres has witnessed a steady increase - from 59 in 2006, to 290 in 2010 and 323 in 2011, as on date. 2007-2008 witnessed a 2.5 fold jump in Marathi playing theatres on the UFO Moviez network.

In April 2009, 'Mee Shivaji Raje Bhosle Boltoy' released on 84 UFO digital screens, but gathered momentum and as of date, it has been screened on 205 UFO digital screens.

Similarly, in January 2010, 'Natarang' screened on 47 UFO digital screens in the first week and till date, has been screened on 166 UFO Digital screens.