Usha Cinema to reopen on September 1
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 30 2016:
Usha Cinema, one of the oldest and once a commercially successful cinema halls of Imphal city, located at Paona Bazaar is set to reopen on September 1 after it was shut down early last year.
In an interaction, acclaimed filmmaker L Surjakanta, who is the brain behind the opening of the old cinema hall again and also the chairman of Film Forum Manipur said that with the advancement of digital technology, cinema halls across the State incurred huge losses which ultimately had to be closed down.
Frequent bandhs, blockades and general strikes in the State and banning of all forms of entertainment activities also directly affected the income of the cinema halls, he said.
After considering the lack of good cinema halls in the State capital and apprising the matter to proprietor of Usha Cinema hall Thongam Haridas, who also happen to be a pioneer in Manipuri film fraternity, agreed to reopen the cinema hall, Surjakanta said and conveyed his gratitude to Th Haridas for considering his recommendation.
All forms of renovation work have been taken up, including upgrading the sound system to Dolby Surround Sound and installing three different professional projectors, he added.
The hall will now showcase Hollywood movies including special film sessions for award winning foreign films besides Manipuri films.
Film premiers will be conducted as in other parts of the State, he said.
There will be three shows per day.
Manipuri movies will be shown at 11 am and 2 pm and the last show which will be at 5 pm will be a Hollywood movie.
Steps to introduce online ticket booking and pre-booking will be facilitated, he added.