With a design that looks like Galactic Senate from Star Wars, the Ōma concept hopes to revolutionise the movie-going experience in India, with a design that could become especially relevant in the post-Covid world
As cinemas across India have started re-opening, exhibitors have been scratching their heads thinking about ways to innovate to bring audiences back. From private screenings to various technologies being introduced to ensure safety, exhibitors are doing the best they can.
In the midst of the pandemic, France-based architecture firm Ōma Cinemas has come up with pod-like design that mandates social distancing, even though the founders, Nicolas and Pierre Chican never imagined this as the use case when they came up with the idea two years ago.
It is also a response to cinemas that need to adapt themselves to compete with OTT platforms. The founders believe, "In Ōma Cinema, every seat is the best seat in the house."
The firm has projects under construction in Paris currently, slated to open at the end of 2021. Their other focus areas are the Middle East and Asia markets, and India is key to their strategy, the founders say.
Forbes India speaks to Chican as well as Jean-Marie Dura, consultant, Ōma Cinemas about their plans for the Indian market. Edited excerpts: