Develop single-screen theatres in rural areas, says Goutam Ghose

Kolkata, March 25 (IANS) In an initiative to make cinema viewing affordable for people from rural areas of the state, renowned filmmaker Goutam Ghose Monday called for reinstating single-screen theatres and establishing mini-plexes across West Bengal.

"Rural people cannot afford to pay high prices for tickets to enjoy a movie. More single-screen theatres will enable them to watch movies at an affordable rate," Ghose said at a media conference here.

"Single-screen theatres are not viable, so there has to be a minimum capital investment in these projects," he added.

Director of films like "Paar", "Dekha" and "Abar Aranye", Ghose also stressed the need to develop mini cine-plexes at different locations to promote films.

Welcoming the initiative, West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra said: "We will help regenerate single-screen. Besides, we will reverse the shooting culture so that international projects will be shot here. Now not only Bollywood, but the south Indian film industry is also choosing to shoot films here."