THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The delegates of the 16th International Film Festival of Kerala could not have helped notice the plush and comfortable settings of the Sree Padmanabha theatre. The recent makeover that the theatre had, which went beyond an improvement in the aesthetic appeal of the interiors to enhance the seating comforts and visual experience, was rightly rewarded when the theatre won the award for technological excellence at the IFFK.“The award for the best theatre during the 15th IFFK was a great morale booster, inspiring us to undertake a massive renovation,” says Girish Chandran, proprietor of the theatre. “The interiors were refurbished with an accent on the theme of Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple, which has been in the news for some time. We also introduced the latest digital technology capable of 2K and 3D resolution in time for the screenings as part of IFFK and the response has been overwhelming,” says Girish. The laser show introduced prior to every show in Padmanabha had been in the news since the start of the film festival. The enchanting dance of lights had lend an exhilarating experience during the screenings of festival films. “The concept of theatre as a passive place, where you go and spent three hours in complete detachment, should change. It should be a happening place which is also people friendly,” says Girish. The same idea has also inspired him to introduce online booking and e-mail id for feedback from the audience. “We have been receiving encouraging mails from viewers and it has helped us rectify issues within very short time,” he says. “The 2K projection was installed on an emergency basis and had its first trial run on the eve of the festival. But the tremendous response from audience more than compensated for the effort. He adds that the employees of the theatre were extremely co-operative, ensuring a flawless implementation of the systems. The laser was composed by G Ashok Kumar, who has earned name by directing light and sound stage shows for Kerala State Film Award Nite and other major events.The two-minute laser show and internet accessibility will continue to be regular features at the theatre. One of the oldest cinema houses in the capital city, Sree Padmanabha is part of the history of Malayalam film industry for its association with P Subramaniom who established the legendary Merryland Studio in Thiruvananthapuram in 1951. Subramanion had started the theatre in 1936 under the name Padmanabha Picture Palace. Girish, the grandson of the pioneering entrepreneur, rebuilt the structure in 1972 (after his father Chandran renovated it in 1964) to give it the present look.One of the oldest theatres in the city, which has gone in for a stylish facelift in terms of seating and ambience, it is creating ripples again. On December 9, the first day of the 16th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), the theatre had its official launch of a laser show, prior to the screening of the festival film.
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