DUBAI, Apr 6 (The National): Popcorn went flying as the cinema erupted in cheers and rapturous applause. The batsman had just hit another six, and the delighted audience was on its feet.
Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket had arrived on the big screen, and the atmosphere was electric as the action unfolded in vivid, high-definition images.
Starting this week, fans have the chance to watch their favourite teams battle for supremacy at nine cinemas across the country as the IPL Twenty20 season draws to a conclusion. It is the first time that the matches have been broadcast live to cinemas outside India.
On Sunday evening, invited guests were given a glimpse of what to expect at a special screening at the Grand Cineplex in the Grand Hyatt hotel. The audience was quickly captivated by the drama. Every shot was met with a cheer, each wicket with a hearty round of applause.
“This is really exciting news. We are anxious for this to start. There’s no doubt I will be there for every match played by Mumbai Indians,” said Anil Kamath, 32, an Indian cricket fan based in Dubai. He has been glued to the action on television since the season began on March 12.
Now Mr Kamath is looking forward to seeing his cricketing heroes flaunting their skills on a larger scale.
“I would definitely go to experience a Twenty20 match on the big screen. It would be good to see the larger-than-life cricketers on a big screen,” said Krishna Nair, a Dubai-based IPL fan from Kerala.
“Of course, the fun is only when we go in groups and I think this will attract more group bookings.”
The promoters said they expected a positive response when the shows open to the public later this week. It is the first time that cricket has been televised at cinemas in the Middle East.
Entertainment and Sports Direct (ESD), which has acquired global theatrical rights to the matches, has collaborated with Al Nisr Cinema and Gulf Films to bring the matches to cinemas.
Arun Rangachari, the chairman of DAR Capital Group, which is promoting ESD, said they had been telecasting IPL matches at 650 cinemas in India. There, theatres have seen an average occupancy rate of just over 45 per cent, which is considered high.
“We did not plan to try this outside India in the first attempt,” said Mr Rangachari. “We get corporate bookings, bulk bookings and all kinds of interested parties in India who are excited to watch the matches on large screen with other cricket fans.
“The interest generated here for IPL matches made us consider the UAE. So, we decided to give it a try. Next season, we will look at South Africa, England, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia.”
There are two matches daily, and the screenings are at 2.30pm and 6.30pm.
They will be shown live at the National Cinema in Abu Dhabi and Grand Safeer in Musaffah. In Dubai, games will be broadcast at Lamcy Plaza, Grand Cineplex in the Grand Hyatt hotel, Grand Cinecity in Al Ghurair mall and Grand Megaplex in Ibn Battuta Mall.
Fans in the Northern Emirates can catch the action at Star Cineplex in Sharjah and Gulf Cinema in Ras al Khaimah. The Grand Dana in Fujairah will also screen the games.
Tickets will cost Dh30 (US$8). “I think it is quite a good deal as the matches are for over three hours and the broadcast would be advertisement-free,” said Mr Rangachari.
IPL cricket has gained a massive following since the format started three years ago. Last month a new team, IPL Kochi, was bought for $333 million by a company owned by a group of businessmen with interests in the UAE. One of the owners, Harshad Mehta, from Rosy Blue Diamond, is based in Dubai.