New Delhi: What can be termed as a giant push towards inclusivity and accessibility in the entertainment sector, "Srikanth," a first-of-its-kind all-inclusive Hindi movie, is a welcome move for disability community.
The National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), India’s leading disability rights organisation, is thrilled to announce its collaboration with PVR INOX, the largest and most premium cinema exhibitor in India, to co-host a special first-day first show of the film “Srikanth”. This initiative, in line with the March Guidelines issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to make Indian films more inclusive, marks a significant milestone as "Srikanth" becomes the first all-inclusive Hindi film, featuring over 70 actors with disabilities in its star cast and available in accessible formats for the visually and hearing impaired.
"Srikanth" is a Hindi-language film depicting the inspiring life of Srikanth Bolla, a visually-impaired Indian industrialist and the founder of Bollant Industries. Directed by Tushar Hiranandani, with Rajkummar Rao portraying the lead role of Srikanth Bolla, the movie is a powerful narrative showcasing the resilience of people with disabilities. In compliance with the recent mandate by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the film is available in accessible formats for the visually and hearing impaired, making cinema more inclusive for all.
PVR INOX has taken proactive steps to ensure accessibility in its cinemas for the movie. With 1600 wheelchair-friendly seats available for booking across various locations, the cinemas are equipped to accommodate patrons with disabilities. The special screening of "Srikanth" on May 10, 2024, at 10 AM, will be a celebration of inclusivity, with reduced tickets’ price.
Speaking about the partnership, Arman Ali, Executive Director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), said, “Our partnership with PVR INOX for the exclusive screening of 'Srikanth' is a crucial moment in our mission to promote equality for people with disabilities in all spheres of life. We appreciate PVR INOX’s proactive measures in enhancing accessibility in movie content and theatre infrastructure, thereby promoting broader inclusivity. Over the past 28 years, NCPEDP has been a staunch advocate for addressing the concerns of disabled individuals through a rights-based and gender-sensitive approach. We take pride in the government's acknowledgment of the necessity for cinema accessibility standards, which open up the theatrical experience to a demographic that was previously excluded.”
Commenting on the collaboration, Gautam Dutta, CEO of revenue and operations at PVR INOX Ltd., said, “Hosting the special screening of 'Srikanth,' India's first all-inclusive Hindi movie featuring actors with disabilities and releasing with Audio Description for the Visually Impaired and subtitles for the Hearing Impaired, being screened in our wheelchair-friendly cinemas, is a significant milestone for us. We are delighted to collaborate with the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) to curate a first-day first show of this inspirational movie embracing individuals from diverse backgrounds and abilities. At PVR INOX, we are deeply committed to creating inclusive and accessible cinematic experiences for patrons with locomotor disabilities, visual impairment, and hearing impairment.”
Patrons can book tickets for the special screening of "Srikanth" for the 10 AM show on May 10 at INR 99 through the PVR App, the INOX App, the PVR Website, and the INOX Website. /BI
