Shreya Bhandary | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; April 22, 2010)

Mumbai: If you thought James Cameron’s Avatar in 3D was the only thing that attracted Mumbaikars, think again. With close to 30 theatres all over the city screening the semi-finals and finals in 3D, audiences were seen swarming to their nearest theatre to book their seats. “With so much security threat at the stadium, this is a good way out and it is pretty close to watching the match live,’’ said Khozem Mirza, who was present at the Metro Cinema with his wife and son to watch the first semi-final match.

With two screens booked for IPL matches, one in 3D and another in 2D, the public there didn’t mind shelling out Rs 1,000 for each seat. In fact, the theatre resembled a stadium with people walking in with signs of 4s and 6s. “This place is nicely air-conditioned and also safe. Plus, I get to see the same match on a bigger screen and cheer just as loudly as I would at the stadium,’’ said Ayush Agarwal (15) who was at the theatre with his classmate Jatin Jamble (15) to support his team. “We’ll try our best to cheer as loudly as we can and support our players,’’ he added. Believe it or not, the added feature for the public here was the free booze during intervals.

Amidst hundreds of supporters cheering for Mumbai Indians, one voice that stood apart was that of 11-year-old Aakansh Kothari who was there to support Royal Challengers Bangalore. Here on a visit to his grandmother’s house, Kothari was at the theatre with his sister and uncle’s family. “I stay at Tardeo and D Y Patil stadium is far away from there. This place is near by and I am having as much fun,’’ he said. There was also a big enough crowd present to witness the match live in 2D at the same place. “I’d rather watch the match in a place where I know I won’t sweat and will get to watch the match on a massive screen,’’ said businessman Kaushal Trivedi.

“This is the first time in India that the 3D format is being used in terms of a live sports event. At almost all theatres, seats have been booked in advance for the rest of the matches too and that just shows how much the audience is liking it,’’ said Charu Satam, spokesperson for UFO
Moviez who have organised the 3D version of the movie.

E-TICKET HASSLE
Amid hundreds of policemen and thousands of cricket enthusiasts outside Nerul’s Dr D Y Patil Sports Stadium were some people who looked hassled as they were not able to enter the stadium despite having proper tickets. “I had booked e-tickets for the match, but had to wait for hours in the heat at the stadium counter to get the tickets in return for the printout. I have decided to go home,’’ said Pramod Dabke.