The 'LieMAX' Problem

IMAX. A cinematic experience which is truly unforgettable for life. It's an experience that you tell your kids about in future and they tell their kids about it. It's worldwide famous for good reasons, but recently in India, the 'cinephiles' (I'm starting to hate that word), are getting touchy with the fact that there aren't many real IMAX screens in India.

For reference, here is the difference between a IMAX 70mm screen and a normal PVR screen.

Huge difference right? 

However in India, the IMAX screens only have the ratio upto 1.90:1 even in IMAX whereas in a 70 MM screen there's the ratio of 1:43:1.

Remember: Lower the middle number, bigger the size.

Here's the list of IMAX screens in India.

(for more info)

Now here, you may see Xenon and Laser. Consider Xenon as the 2k resolution projecter. It is the worst quality that you can get, whereas Laser goes upto 4k. It matters because the projecter quality matters along with the screen size. For example, IMAX Wadala used to have a 70mm screen but it was discontinued, but they can still play it if they want but it all comes down to the logistics. I'll talk about it later on. So far, India got decent level of IMAX.

Now, there are less than 40 IMAX 70 MM screens in the world (Majorly being in the US and Canada). You may ask why? It's because that films don't get made in 70 MM format as much as the other formats. God bless Nolan, he kept it alive. 

India is the 4th largest economy. People here can buy a 3k worth ticket for Dhurandhar so they can ofcourse spend closer or even a little less than that on a 70 MM movie then what's the issue here? Is IMAX being racist here? No, they aren't.

The physical reel of Christopher Nolan's Interstellar was 18 kilometres long. It was 272 KGs in the terms of weight. It even played in India when 70 MM IMAX screens existed in Mumbai, Hyderabad, etc, but the main problem with physical reel is the logistics. The shipment has to be taken care of regularly or it completely messes up the entire reel. The transportation can be really messy especially in a country like India and the regulations for import- export have changed based on the economy. The main point is the profit. Having an IMAX film that is majorily shot in 70 MM format is like seeing a 5G signal in your hostel room. It's rare. Mostly every 3-4 years. No-one is willing to bear the loss of an empty screen, because everyone is globally dirt poor and that's the reality. We still have the 'LieMAX' screens but nah, the 'cinephiles' told me that it's not real IMAX. Fine, if you are going to be such a b*tch then I guess I'll watch it when it comes on Netflix. 

Technology keeps evolving. IMAX has made a camera which is made of carbon fibre and it is 70% lighter in weight. It was made to shoot Christopher Nolan's next film, The Odyssey. Someday, I am sure, we'll find a way to bring 70 MM IMAX home. 

For now, spread the word. Spread truth, but not hate towards existing cinema. Cinema is a portal to another world. Don't pollute it like this one.