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Over the years, there has been a significant decline in India's screen density, which has dropped from 21,000 screens to just around 9,000 today. Although the digital revolution and cable television played roles in this trend, the root issue was the inability of traditional single-screen cinemas—especially in rural areas—to keep up with modern demands, leading to the decline of ‘tambu talkies.’ Urban multiplexes have since transformed the movie-watching experience but remain inaccessible to rural communities, leaving them deprived of the grand, immersive experience of cinema.

- Kabir Singh Bhandari

Over the years, there has been a significant decline in India's screen density, which has dropped from 21,000 screens to just around 9,000 today. Although the digital revolution and cable television played roles in this trend, the root issue was the inability of traditional single-screen cinemas—especially in rural areas—to keep up with modern demands, leading to the decline of ‘tambu talkies.’ Urban multiplexes have since transformed the movie-watching experience but remain inaccessible to rural communities, leaving them deprived of the grand, immersive experience of cinema. This is where Sushil Chaudhary, Founder & CEO, Picturetime Digiplex, came up with the idea of digital inflatable theatres or Mobile Digital Movie Theatres (MDMT).

For Chaudhary, cinema is essential, like ‘roti, kapda, makan’—a vital source of joy, connection, and inspiration. This belief, along with his lifelong passion for cinema, inspired the concept. Their mobile theatres are designed to overcome real estate and regulatory challenges, providing a flexible, portable solution that brings the latest films to even the remotest parts of India. His vision? To see every town and village experience the magic of the big screen. With the ongoing Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) where his digital inflatable theatres are an integral part, The Free Press Journal quizzed him about the various aspects and challenges of this project. Excerpts:

Q. How are these portable theatres transforming the film experience for audiences in remote areas?