IMAX in Kolkata

My first IMAX experience was nearly a decade back I saw a short film on wild life at Serengeti National Park in Tanzania at the Science City facility. I literally clutched onto my seat as the animals ‘almost’ rushed into us from the screen.

The sound was exceptional as the roars of the lions seemed coming from everywhere. I was left dumbstruck with the experience. I saw several films there later, but I feel my first experience was one of the most intense I ever had.

Well, the good news is Kolkata is going to get its first commercial IMAX complex in another 2 months that will have 3 auditoriums called Cinemax.

The IMAX screens will be 80×120 feet in place of the usual 30×55 feet. In all, 600 people will sit to watch the movies.

IMAX stands for Image Maximum, sort of which was invented by 4 Canadians way back in 1970s. The first IMAX system came up in Toronto in 1971, the year Bangladesh was liberated.

Later, Canada’s IMAX Corporation at Vancouver is said to have created the present IMAX film format. Wikipedia informs that as of March last year, a total of 280 IMAX theaters existed in 38 countries, 60% of these in Canada and the US.

Image left shows the film currently running at IMAX, Vancouver [courtesy].

In India Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad already have IMAX. In fact Hyderabad’s IMAX is said to have the world’s largest display screen.

Kolkata’s IMAX is coming up at Mani Square on EM Bypass to the north of Apollo Hospitals. The multiplex-cum-mall will house multi-level parking to accommodate 1500 cars, 800 2-whelers, and 10 buses. It’s a grand arrangement, no doubt.