October 9 was the official media launch as well as the public opening of the multiplex theatre complex. A costume-performance of 'spidey' acrobatics captivated the jovial audience at the opening ceremony.

Mirka Rahman, Managing Director of Show Motion Ltd., Mostafizur Rahman, Executive Director of Bashundhara Group, Fazlul Karim, Managing Director of Discovery Ltd. Panasonic, Gitanko Datta of Standard Chartered, and Rabeth Khan, Executive Director of Show Motion Ltd. spoke on the occasion.

'This venture seeks to bring back the movie lovers of the country to the fold. Because of the dismal condition of the cinema halls, many of them had unfortunately drifted away,' said Mirka. 'Moreover, by showing latest international blockbusters, we can change the piracy scenario of the country. Also, we hope to boost up the ailing film industry by promoting promising Bangla films at this multiplex,' she added.

So what is exactly in this 25,000sq ft multiplex? An excited Rabeth claims, 'The three theatres have the latest equipment to maximise the audio and visual entertainment.' Each hall has sitting arrangements for 262 viewers. 'The digital Christie Projection System brought directly from California makes the technical qualities of our multiplex one of the best in the continent,' Rabeth added.

For brilliant soundproofing and good acoustics, the ceilings of the halls have glass wool layers. The Klipsch Speakers, world leaders in theatre sound systems, will ensure a more realistic audio experience. A huge lobby with a 175-foot long service stall outside the theatre can easily capture one's attraction.

How long will the city dwellers have to wait for a new movie? 'We have secured rights to all films released by FOX, UIP, Columbia and Warner Brothers. Initially, within a month of a movie's release in India, we will have it on our screens. Later, however, we will be having première of films on the same day they are released in India,' said Rabeth.

But the bad news for the Hindi movie lovers is that Hindi films have not got permission for screening. However, to promote the country's own film industry, 'we'll definitely show good Bangla movies like Duratta, Bachelor, Padma Nodir Majhi and others,' he said.

Although the ticket price is quite high as for English movies--it varies from Tk 150 to Tk 225 and for Bangla movies from Tk 90 to Tk 125--Rabeth does not consider it a high price for the young movie geeks. 'A survey conducted by Show Motion reveals that most of the participants wish to watch two films a week,' informed Rabeth. 'In four weeks' time there will be three different films in the three theatres.' Titles like 50 First Dates, Welcome to the Jungle, Collateral, Bride and Prejudice, Fahrenheit 9/11 and many others are on the list following Spiderman 2. The show times are 12.30pm, 5.30pm and 8 pm.