Date:07/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/12/07/stories/2005120702361900.htm

Back `Most cinemas in TN need to be upgraded'

Our Bureau

Chennai , Dec. 6

OF the 1,800 cinema theatres in Tamil Nadu, 1,600 have to be upgraded, according to Mr Sv. Rm. Ramanathan, President, Theatre Owners Association of Chennai.

Speaking at the inaugural session of TAAL 2005 (theatre, audio-visual, acoustic and lighting industries), an international convention and tradeshow on cinema, non-cinema entertainment and office infrastructure, he said that a tradeshow like this would help those planning to upgrade their theatres.

Mr Ramanathan later told newspersons that he would invest about Rs 2 crore in upgrading theatres in Abhirami Mall. A new addition to the mall is a jungle theme park, which is scheduled to open on December 15. He said that he was planning a multiplex in south Chennai and was scouting for land in that area.

Mr Ramesh Prasad, Chairman, Prasad Group, said that the group has set up an entertainment centre in Hyderabad and plans for another Imax theatre there. He said that he was also looking at Chennai for an Imax theatre.

TAAL is a three-day event and will have 18 technical sessions categorised into two main sections: theatre and audiovisual, acoustics and lighting. The exhibition features 54 companies - 30 from the cinema entertainment and 24 from the non-cinema entertainment.

The event will showcase the latest products and technologies from across the world.

TAAL is organised by Sandy Media, a division of the Bangalore-based Acoustech (P) Ltd.