📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / DeepanjanGhosh
Entertainment
West Bengal government to use state auditoriums for additional Bengali film screens
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 28 Aug 2026, 03:19 PM
👁 36
The state government is considering converting its public auditoriums into venues for screening more Bengali movies, aiming to boost regional cinema reach.
The West Bengal administration has announced a plan to repurpose its government‑run auditoriums as additional venues for Bengali film screenings. The move is intended to address the shortage of screens for regional movies and to broaden their audience base across the state.
Officials said that several auditoriums in major cities, including Kolkata, will be equipped with the necessary projection and sound systems to meet commercial cinema standards. By leveraging existing public infrastructure, the government hopes to provide affordable screening spaces without the need for new construction.
The initiative is expected to benefit filmmakers by offering more showtimes and locations, especially in areas where private multiplexes are scarce. It also aligns with the state’s broader cultural policy to promote Bengali art and entertainment.
Implementation will be phased, with an initial rollout scheduled for the upcoming festive season, after which performance and audience response will be evaluated for possible expansion.
Officials said that several auditoriums in major cities, including Kolkata, will be equipped with the necessary projection and sound systems to meet commercial cinema standards. By leveraging existing public infrastructure, the government hopes to provide affordable screening spaces without the need for new construction.
The initiative is expected to benefit filmmakers by offering more showtimes and locations, especially in areas where private multiplexes are scarce. It also aligns with the state’s broader cultural policy to promote Bengali art and entertainment.
Implementation will be phased, with an initial rollout scheduled for the upcoming festive season, after which performance and audience response will be evaluated for possible expansion.