An exclusive private club allows members access to screening of newly released films in 3D-ready format, from their drawing rooms
An exclusive private club allows members access to screening of newly released films in 3D-ready format, from their drawing rooms
How would you like to catch the latest Bollywood flick from the comfort of your own home? No, we aren't talking about pirated DVDs. 
Filmy funda:u00a0Phas Gaye Re Obama is one of the many films
that has been screened recently using this exclusive service.u00a0
representative pic
An exclusive private club - Club X, enables members to view the screening of new-release movies, without having to step out. The catch: this privilege is only available to a select group of individual achievers who have made a mark on society; the ones who alwayscommand that something special in life. So basically, memberships to the club are strictly by invitation.
As a member one will receive personal invitations from producers to watch special screenings of their new-release movies in the comfort of their private theatre and according to their convenience. The movies are delivered and screened on 3D-ready digital equipment.
The membership is limited to only 250 hand selected individuals from around the country who can avail this unique luxury entertainment service.u00a0
A pretty penny
The cost of installation comes to around seven lakh rupees, which includes a refundable amount of four lakhs. Further for screening movies, the affiliate's private theatre must be equipped with compatible 3D projection system. Equipment worth Rs 15 lakh is provided to each member. If the affiliate wants to discontinue the service even after six months, the deposit is returned and equipments are taken back. Members are never under obligation to continue.
Ameya Hete, Executive Director of Valuable Group and CEO of Moviebeam, which is providing this service, said: "We have broken down our tariff and charge a small amount from the distributor and an equally meagre amount from the exhibitor. Both rates are usage based. If the exhibitor is not using the system he does not have to pay anything. There is no fixed overhead on him. Similarly the distributor also pays on per show basis and hence he need not invest in the cost of a print and can simply pay on the actual number of shows screened by him."
English or desi?
The cost of screening movies at the private theatre ranges between Rs 10,000 and 25,000, depending on the popularity of the film.u00a0 While English movies such as Street Dance and Red cost Rs 15,000 and 7,500 respectively, Bollywood flicks like Rakta Charitra 2 and Phas Gaye Re Obama come with a Rs 10,000 price tag. Other movies which were privately screened recently were Guzaarish, Break Ke Baad, Allah Ke Banday, Knock Out among others.
As the movies get older the screening rate also declines accordingly. The company also plans to extend this facility to movies released in regional languages. Satellite delivery allows the freedom to go to territories in far flung places such as Katra in Jammu and Kashmir or Siliguri in West Bengal.
A sure hit
A member opting for screening of a particular movie is given a licence which is valid for seven days. During these seven days, the member can watch the movie anytime but only once and at a stretch. Generally the time starts from the wee hours of Friday - the day on which most movies are released in India.
Sources within the club told MiD DAY that some of the people who have opted for this private screening are Maharashtra tourism minister Chhagan Bhujbal, noted actors Ajay Devgn and Akshaye Khanna and Golmal 3 producer Dhilin Mehta. Businessmen Raaja Kanwar, Managing Director of Apollo LogiSolutions Ltd, Sanjay Chandra and Ajay Chandra of Unitech group are also availing the services.
"This luxury entertainment service is designed specifically for you with your convenience and your passion for movies in mind. We have launched this service in the country. It is for a select few. We have stretched the idea of private screening a little further and taken it to your drawing room. It's not that anybody can come and get the system installed. We check the credentials of the persons involved and there are mechanisms in the system so that it does not get misused," said Ameya Hete.
"I hope soon all movies will be released digitally through us. But it is the discretion of the producers. But as there is good business, no one would refuse," he added.
Rs 15 lakh
Cost of equipment provided to the customer
Rs 7 lakh
Approx cost of installation of service
| Process flow |
| Telecine |
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