NAVODAYA STUDIO
1978 Thacholi Ambu
1979 Maamaankam
1980 Theekkadal
1982 Padayottam (First 70 mm film in India)
1983 Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku
1984 My Dear Kuttichathan (India's first 3D film)
1986 Poove Poochooda Vaa (Tamil)
1989 Chanakyan
1993 Bible Ki Kahaaniyaan (Television series)
1998 Chota Chetan (First 3D film with DTS)
2003 Magic Magic 3D
2012 My Dear Kuttichathan (Digital 3D)
Erecting mammoth outdoor sets on the shores of the newly commissioned Idukki reservoir, Navodaya in 1978 launched the first c’scope film in malayalam - THACHOLI AMBU, a folklore/ costume drama
Navodaya conducted a study survey of all theaters in Kerala. Questionnaires were sent out and cinema hall floor plans were made out to suggest design changes. Screensizes were calculated for an image aspect ratio of 1 : 2.35.
Re-modifications were suggested for support pillars inside the auditorium.
THACHOLI AMBU, cinemascope, was so huge a hit that within one year of the film's release, all theaters (about 1100; average capacity - 800 seats) in the state of Kerala had converted to anamorphic projection and wider screens.
For the initial release Navodaya had to stock and supply lenses to the theaters for the screenings. But by 1982, every film in malayalam language (about 120, annually) was being shot as cinemascope. Navodaya had not only revolutionised the production format, but also the exhibition circuit!
PADAYOTTAM (1982), is arguably the first 70 mm film in India - the postproduction work of previous 70mm films of the country having been done in the United Kingdom. But for Padayottam, the 70mm blow up and six track magnetic sound work were done at Prasad Lab., Madras and Chitanjali Studios, Trivandrum.
In year the 1982,
there were seven centers in Kerala state where PADAYOTTAM could be screened in 70MM 6 Track Stereo.
1. Trivandrum 2. Quilon 3. Alleppey 4. Ernakulam 5. Trichur 6. Calicut 7. Canannore
In the rest (about 700), the film was screened as scope, mono optical.
In classic 3D projection using linear polarisers,
Right EYE image was encoded plus 45 degrees and LEFT EYE image was encoded minus 45 degrees.
The polarisers in the glasses decoded the images appropriately for a viewer.
Year 1984. While the production of MY DEAR KUTTICHATHAN (CHOTTA CHETAN) was happening, teams of technicians were trained here at Navodaya to convert every prospective cinema hall for screening the 3D film. ITI Graduates in mechanics and optics were instructed in methods to modify all known 35mm projectors, and fit them with the Stereo Lenses and Polorising filters issued by Navodaya. Also, personnel were taught the skill to dismantle existing cinemahall screens and replace them (overnight!) with silver screens. An in-house service system was developed to provide poloriser glasses to customers. During the 20 years (from 1985 to 2005) of our 3D screenings, Navodaya had directly handled each of its 3D lens & silverscreen at the theaters and every one of the 3D glasses given to customers. From the thatched auditoriums with their carbon arc lamps in India/ Indonesia/ West Indies, to the automated plattered multiplexes at KAL/ Dubai/ Birmingham/ Montreal, this today adds up to a staggering 85000 screenings and 43 million 3D glasses!
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