Small halls, big push: 50-seater theatres to debut in Bengal
Times of India | 19 December 2025
Kolkata: The increasing demand for spaces to exhibit audio-visual content and the rising interest in small group movie viewings has prompted the state govt to launch a mini cinema policy. This policy was announced by chief minister Mamata Banerjee at the Business & Industry Conclave on Thursday. Tollywood believes this is the first of its kind in India by a state govt. It is expected to enhance the experience for cinephiles, boost the film industry and local businesses, and utilise small auditoriums in suburban and rural areas for entertainment and commerce.
Speaking at the conclave, Banerjee said: "Today we introduced the Mini Cinema Policy to revitalise Bengal's film industry. We have accepted actor Prosenjit Chatterjee's suggestion. Instead of a big cinema hall, there should be small theatres where many people can be accommodated. We are setting up an International Information Technology Entertainment and Cultural Park in Rajarhat with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore. The tender is already floated. In three phases, more than one lakh people can assemble for cultural programmes."
The industry has welcomed this initiative. "This is the first time such an initiative has been taken in India. I met my friend, Anurag, who showed me a model for this. The West Bengal Mini Cinema Policy was launched on Thursday, and I am pleased our chief minister has taken this step. I want to thank the I&CA department too for their efforts. With my partners, I am working on Bengal's first mini cinema on Park Street and hope to receive permission soon," actor Prosenjit Chatterjee told TOI on Thursday.
The film fraternity believes that the emerging digital display technologies in audio-visual media demand new forms of screening films. This policy is expected to address this need. A mini cinema, as defined in the notification, is an air-conditioned auditorium seating approximately 50 people, primarily for film screenings. It features an LED digital display board, with a projection system connected to a desktop computer and server, operated by at least one person during screenings. Films will be accessed digitally via an electronic server. No separate enclosure or high voltage power supply is needed for the projection system. Fire safety measures are required for the air-conditioning system and to prevent short circuits at the digital display site. Seating is capped at 50, with classification and pricing determined by the applicant.
The notification specifies the display board's positioning to ensure the top of the picture does not exceed a 45-degree angle from the eye level of a person in the first row. The angle from the picture's edge to the eye of a person at the opposite end of the row should be at least 25 degrees. The notification also mandates the film operator to be computer literate.
Applicants must obtain a fitness certificate for the building, fire protection system, and trade licenses. Setting up a mini cinema requires permission from the district magistrate or police commissioner, with a project outline. A spot inspection by police will follow, and an NOC will be issued within seven days. The entire licensing process should be completed within four weeks. The I&CA department is mentioned as the nodal agency for addressing grievances