Sulakshana Sawant, wife of Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, inaugurated PictureTime’s inflatable theatre (Official screening partner at IFFI) at the Government College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Sankhali, as part of the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
This first-of-its-kind setup in Sanquelim drew an enthusiastic crowd of students and locals, eager to experience world-class cinema in a revolutionary portable theatre.
The first film to be screened in this state-of-the-art inflatable theatre is Satyajit Ray’s timeless classic Agantuk, setting a high bar for the cinematic journey. This will be followed by a lineup of celebrated films, including Chumbak, Kaajro, and Ranbir Kapoor’s popular musical drama Rockstar later in the day.
PictureTime, known for its innovative inflatable theatres, has transformed film screenings in underserved areas. Featuring air-conditioned interiors, 5.1 Dolby surround sound, and a high-definition digital screen, the theatre offers a premium cinematic experience. Its inclusion in IFFI underscores the festival’s mission to bring the magic of cinema to communities beyond conventional venues.
Sawant expressed her excitement about the initiative, saying: “Cinema has always been an integral part of our lives, and in a country as diverse as ours, we are fortunate to enjoy films from every corner. Today’s audiences are embracing not just mainstream Bollywood films but also thought-provoking movies like Newton, Stree, and Laapataa Ladies.
“We live in exciting times, where students should explore beyond academics. Who knows, the finest directors or scriptwriters might emerge from here. Infact, two of my students in the past, who were from the field of science, took a diversion and got into the film industry. One of them being Swapnil Salkar, the co-writer of the 2023 film Stolen, that had witnessed its premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
“The other one, filmmaker of the first Konkani film (Saavat), at this 55th edition of IFFI…These are students from our own taluka. We feel immensely proud that they’re representing the indian film industry as well.”
“Thanks to Sushil Chaudhary, PictureTime, NFDC, and IFFI Goa, this unique opportunity of theatres coming to us, has become accessible. I urge students, especially those curious about filmmaking, scriptwriting, or even poetry, to experience this. Perhaps one film will inspire a life-changing journey!,” added Sulakshana.
Chaudhary, Founder and CEO of PictureTime, highlighted the impact of technology in expanding cinema’s reach. ”At PictureTime, our mission is to bring cinema to every corner of India, and being a part of IFFI helps us achieve this vision. Seeing the excitement of students and locals enjoying a masterpiece like Agantuk in our theatre is incredibly fulfilling and drives us to keep innovating,” he said.
Professor Namdev Gawas, Principal of the Government College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Sankhali, shared his pride in hosting the event:
“It is a proud privilege for our college to host PictureTime’s inflatable theatre during IFFI. This initiative has brought an enriching cultural experience to our students and the community, connecting them to the magic of cinema in a unique way.”
The inauguration was met with enthusiastic applause as the theatre remained packed with students and locals. This initiative exemplifies IFFI’s evolving vision to connect global cinema with audiences at the grassroots level, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility.
