Imphal, October 18: Even though the ban on screening of Bollywood films had virtually sounded the death knell of quite a number of cinema halls, constant production of Manipuri digital feature films have to some extent brought cine-goers back to the theatres.

In addition to film enthusiasts slowly flocking to theatres to enjoy their choicest Manipuri digital films, the star appeal of the actors have also started gripping the public imagination pushing Bollywood actors to the back burner.

While some cinema halls, unable to withstand the economic constraints of running the theatres have called it a day and converted their vast complexes to other more commercially viable ventures, those few that faced the tribulations are beginning to reap the dividends.

Amongst the most popular cinema halls of yesteryears, proprietors of Shankar Talkies, Asha-Jina Cinema and Friends� Mini were constrained to change business either converting the complexes into educational institutions or shopping centres.

However, those who stood up to the challenge can today heave a sign of relief as the Manipuri digital feature films have made a strong comeback automatically generating income.

Even as Hindi films have gone underground following the ban imposed on its screening by an underground outfit, Manipuri feature films are doing brisk business at Usha Cinema and Pratap Cinema located on the congested Paona Bazar.

Compared to accessibility of Hindi movies, limited to a select few from video stalls, long queues at the Paona Bazar theatres in the first few weeks of a Manipuri digital film release have become a trademark in the last one/two years.

Endorsing the changed scenario, manager of Victory Cinema, Th Damodar recalled that after the ban on screening bollywood movies the theatres were deserted as screening of films, including Manipuri films were not economically viable.

However, steady production of quality digital Manipuri feature films mainly due to advancement and vigorous pursuance towards latest digital technologies and coupled with enhanced local tastes in the films the cinema enthusiasts could now look up to these local ventures as few of the recreation activities in the State, Damodar commented.

Confessing that soon after ban on Hindi films even thinking of reporting for daily assignments at the theatre became torturous mentally and the same hall had to be closed down for some time, he nevertheless exulted at the re-flocking of movie goers at theatres.

Compared to quality control maintained by the celluloid film producers advent of digital films have at least added new vigour to cinema hall owners and more importantly the movie enthusiasts, the manager expressed.

He also stated that movie goers normally throngs cinema theatres in the first two week of film releases with the momentum drastically diminished after the initial euphoria adding of the total number of 558 seats in the theatre hardly 50 percent could be filled after the first two week of film release.

Usha Cinema proprietor Y Shyamsunder asserted that prior to ban against Hindi movies screening of Manipuri feature films attendance of film enthusiasts were much more than in the present days but the trend has changed to a large extent with production of crisp digital feature films having strong story-line and commendable acting that could live upto the expectations of the upcoming young generation.

According to A Tompok, manager of Friends Talkies - one of the few survivors - viewer-ship reaches its peak only in the initial period of film release that subsequently dwindles with the passage of time.

On the other hand, in addition to songs of Manipuri films resonating at every street corners the actors have become household names these days with even the children able to differentiate between a Kaiku (Somorendra), singer-actor Sadananda, Dinesh or Danny.

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