West Bengal: Jab centre plan for cinema hall

KOLKATA: Priya cinema is all set to become the first single screen theatre in Bengal, and possibly in the country, to be turned into a Covid-19 vaccination centre. What’s unique is that the cinema will also offer free cine-viewing experience as well during the waiting period on its premises before and after vaccination.
The owner of Priya, Arijit Dutta, told TOI that the plight of people waiting in long queues at vaccination centres prompted him to take this initiative. “My single screen theatre is shut now. So, I have a property that can be used to help people. This will reduce the stress and discomfort of the elderly who have to wait in the heat or in congested places for vaccination. The letters have been issued already,” Dutta said.
The president of the Medica Hospitals group, Saumitra Bharadwaj, said, “We are trying to find space closer to the city dwelling and vaccinate as many people as possible. The idea, which Arijit also supports, is that we can offer a bit of entertainment when people come to get vaccinated.”
The vaccination fee will be the same at Priya like hospitals. “Our paperwork, which also involves permission from Swastha Bhawan to recognize this as a Covid-19 vaccination centre, should come through by Sunday. Currently, I have zero vaccine and am waiting for the supply from the government,” Bharadwaj added.
The drive will start as soon as the vaccine supplies are available. Currently, the aim is to vaccinate 1,000 people daily. “I hope other cinemas follow Arijit’s example,” Bharadwaj added. Tollywood is thrilled with this initiative. Director Arindam Sil first came to know about it from Dutta. “This is an exemplary service on Arijit’s part. For months, Priya is not giving him any business while he is having to bear the overhead cost. Yet, he has chosen to carry out his social responsibility this way. This is an incredibly exemplary and I think the module should be adopted by others,” Sil said.
Once online registration is done, people will be asked to arrive at the theatre at a given date and time. At the designated time of arrival, the formalities will be cleared on the ground floor. “People can then wait in the air conditioned comfort of our theatre. All lights will not be turned off in the auditorium, even though the film will run. The section meant for rare stall will be used for this purpose. Once a person’s turn is announced, he or she will walk out of the auditorium and get vaccinated on either the first floor or second floor lobby,” he added. Dutta will soon begin talking to distributors about the screenings, 90% of which will be in Bengali.