In early 2023, IMAX Wadala shut its doors after a 21-year run, thus bringing down the curtain on India’s first IMAX theatre. One-and-a-half years on, cinephiles in Mumbai have a reason to cheer. mid-day has learnt that the iconic theatre in Wadala is set to reopen, in a swankier avatar, on November 15 tentatively. The property will house four screens, including the iconic dome, which will again be the star attraction.
   
At the Comic Con 2024 exhibition in April, IMAX Corporation and Miraj Entertainment announced their partnership, which would see three IMAX screens being installed across the country. Following months of renovation, the Wadala multiplex will soon be unveiled with a new laser projection system and a five-channel audio system. An industry insider tells us that one of its prominent features will be the 4K XT laser system that will be employed in the dome. “The 4K XT laser system relies on a specialised laser projection mechanism that produces 4,000 pixels horizontally, enhancing brightness, colour accuracy, and contrast. The result is a more dynamic image on screen. This approach reduces the digital haze, which is often visible in traditional digital projectors,” says the source.

All four screens in the theatre will boast a five-channel audio system. The source explains, “This system includes a series of strategically placed speakers to surround the audience with directional sound, offering clarity and depth. While some IMAX theatres in the city may employ a 12-channel set-up, the five-channel configuration delivers a notable level of immersion.”