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GOA'S 240-MILLION MULTIPLEX IS UP, SET TO RUN, BUT WHERE ARE THE AUDIENCES? >From Pamela D'Mello [EMAIL PROTECTED] Panaji, Nov 9: Goa's first government-built multiplex is set to begin operations amidst doubts about its financial viability. The post-modern swanky multiplex -- the first in the state --- was over-seen by INOX Leisure and will open on November 12. International standard stadium seating, 4 THX-compliant auditorium, state of the art sound and projection equipment has come at a hefty Rs 24 crore (Rs 240 million) tab to the state exchequer. Built on prime riverfront real estate in the state-capital of Panaji, over a demolished hospital complex, the multiplex will screen films for the November 29-Dec 9 International Film festival of India. This festival inaugural though is at the nearby Charles Correia-designed state performing arts academy which has been redone and fitted with acoustics and projection equipment totalling Rs 21 crore (Rs 210 million). The glass fronted multiplex -- a post modern landmark in a city with quaint colonial structures -- became necessary after regular theatre owners refused to risk capital over upgrading down-market properties when Goa was announced as IFFI's permanent venue last year. State chief minister Manohar Parrikar, facing criticism over the Rs 100 crore (Rs 1000 million) and-still-mounting investment he has put into IFFI, says the government will work out innovative financial modules to make investment pay-back. In the interim, the Rs 250 crore INOX will run the multiplex until 2005, and pay the state a 12-15% cut on box office sales, Mr Parrikar announced. "We had to build the multiplex to host IFFI. But we are not in the business of running multiplexes. We have to lease it to someone who can," says Mr Parrikar, replying to criticism that the lease had not been tendered out. The opposition Congress has threatened legal action if bids are not called for. Spokesman Jeetendra Deshprabhu estimates multiplex cost is more near Rs 100 crore, considering real estate value and the cost of buildings demolished on the site. With virtually no film culture and a small market size, the state's theatres are a floundering financial proposition. But Mr Parrikar says he is confident innovative use can bring in Rs 4 crore (Rs 40 million) annually to government. A two week commercial test run on the multiplex will ascertain its financial viability. Authorities here have already begun a crack-down on video parlours stocking pirated VCDs. Meanwhile, a mysterious fire that damaged one newly constructed theatre in a commercial complex has lent additional drama to this segment after its owners said they suspected sabotage. Over the past year work on IFFI has been both controversial and speedy, running into environmental objections for encroaching into the Mandovi river that meanders around the northern edge of Panaji. The multiplex, already being called the INOX Multiplex, took just 180 days to construction while other works are speeding up in Goa's most ambitious construction projects since the state played host to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Retreat in 1983. Not unlike CHOGM, traffic grid-locks, tree felling and the hefty tab have made the ten-day IFFI festival a bitter sweet experience for the local population. Having weathered all this, the state is banking on IFFI continuing permanently in Goa and additional money from the central Planning Commission. Officials expect IFFI to grow at 15% annually and a new 8000 capacity festival theatre is proposed for the 2005 event in Goa. Hosts Goa Entertainment Society have contracted event management to the Times of India newspaper group's subsidiary called 360 degree, for a Rs 37 lakh fee. Sponsored events around the festival are expected to involve local population and visitors, including beach screenings on giant plasma screens, a carnival parade and live bands, fire eaters, and dance troupes lining the festival promenades. Meanwhile for INOX Leisure, the November 12 launch in Goa coincides with the opening of its Nariman Point Mumbai multiplex, that cost Rs 50 crore (Rs 500 million). CEO Shishir Baijal told a press conference Tuesday that a further Rs 75-100 crore (Rs 750 to 1000 million) investments would see multiplexes go up in Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore by end 2005 while Cochin and Allahabad would follow to complement Kolkata, Pune, and Baroda. Pegging at a nationwide presence with a 100 screens, INOX plans to add international standard theatres to complement India's Rs 5000 crore (Rs 50,000 million) film industry. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- GOANET-READER WELCOMES contributions from its readers, by way of essays, reviews, features and think-pieces. We share quality Goa-related writing among the 7000-strong readership of the Goanet/Goanet-news network of mailing lists. If you appreciated the thoughts expressed above, please send in your feedback to the writer. Our writers write -- or share what they have written -- pro bono, and deserve hearing back from those who appreciate their work. 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