5D virtual reality theatre in Khandagiri soon

If things go as per plans, the Khandagiri Hills will soon have a state-of-the-art virtual reality theatre where tourists would enjoy not only 3D films but also experience special effects hitherto not available in the State.

In fact, the virtual reality theatre will have much more than 3D effects. The OTDC plans to make it 5D in nature. Apart from the three-dimensional aspects, there will be special effects with water, aroma and wind too. “Apart from three dimensional pictures, visitors and tourists will experience aroma when film displays flowers or water sprinkling when there is rain in the movie to give them a real-time feel,” said JK Das, Executive Engineer of OTDC.

The Tourism Department is planning to set up the theatre at its Interpretation Centre located in the historic caves by installing topline seating and cinematic experience facilities. The Odisha Tourism Development Corporation which is assigned the work had invited tender but received a single bidder. Now it has gone for re-tendering to seek more bidders for the project.

The state-of-the-art theatre will not only play films with entertainment content but also run short movies on tourism destinations of the State. ”It will be an exciting addition to the Khandagiri Hills which is a major attraction for tourists in the capital. The department wanted value addition for the destination and came up with the theatre idea,” Director, Tourism HS Upadhyay said.

OTDC has planned the theatre experience in such a way that tourists will have a thrilling ride. The 24-seater theatre will have seats that match the sports racing seats based on Federation International de Automobile (FIA)-approved motor racing seats design so that it is secure, easy to function and comprise controls for special effects such as neck blast, back vibrator or poker, seat vibrator, air blast and leg tickler.

Apart from installing the systems that enable the special effects, the implementing agency will have the mandate of producing the 3D ride films as well as the film on Odisha Tourism. The OTDC has projected budget for the facilities at ` 85 lakh and targets to complete the work in six months once tender is finalised.

“The Interpretation Centre has all the infrastructure in place and the implementing agency will have to put in place the systems required for special effects,” Das informed. (Source – New Indian Express)