3D IPL shows a big hit

Even 2D screenings do well at theatres as T20 extravaganza reaches semi-finals stageu00a0 The screening of IPL matches in city theatres had so far evoked a lukewarm response. But now with the IPL reaching its final stage and the introduction of 3D screenings, there is a huge response from cricket crazy fans.Theatres screening IPL matches are now witnessing close to 100 per cent bookings.u00a0 Even 2D screenings of the T20 extravaganza are doing well with bookings.Multiplexes happyFor the first semi-final match yesterday, about 800 seats at E-Square, Inox and Fame-Fun and Shop were booked. Ashish Joshi and his friends watched the match in 3D at E-Square. We get the feel of being there in the stadium, said Joshi. It is amazing.Just before the match started, Kishor Ganatra, partner, E-Square, said, We are showing the match to the audience with one screen. We have received a good response and expect that all the four shows for finals and semi-finals will be sold out.The multiplex has installed virtual 3D A group technology for the first time in the city. We have spent Rs 60 lakh to set up the infrastructure, said Ganatra.Madhuri Bogawat, regional manager (marketing), Inox, said the response was good on the first day of 3D screenings. We have a seating capacity of 400 for 3D and have digital 3D technology for the screenings, she said. Prakash Chaphalkar, partner, Mangala Multiplex, said cricket fans poured in for the screening at the theatre in spite of its decision to stick to 2D. We were not sure about the response of the audience to 3D screenings as they have to wear 3D goggles for four hours at a stretch, said Chaphalkar, adding that a ticket for the semi-finals was for Rs 125.Other screeningsFour single-screen theatres in the city ufffd Vijay, Ashok, Arun and Vaibhav ufffd also got a good response for the first semi-final match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians.u00a0Niyan Joshi of Vijay, a 75-year -old theatre on Laxmi Road, said 60 per cent of the seats in the theatre were booked in advance. Kunal Mohol, partner, Vaibhav theatre in Hadapsar, was also a happy man as the audience thronged to watch the IPL semi-final.The Ishanya amphitheatre in Yerawada saw all seats taken for its open air IPL screening. There were cheerleaders and DJs, and the enthusiastic crowd cheered, whistled and ordered cans of beer, the atmosphere being no less electric than that at a match in a stadium. (With inputs from Debarati Palit)