Kolkata, Jan 6 Nasdaq listed entertainment technology major, IMAX Corporation, may associate with Bollywood movies in the near future.

"We may use bollywood content to convert to our IMAX format in future once we reach a critical mass. In India, we are looking at some 9-10 theaters before we venture into Bollywood films," IMAX Corporation VP (theater development [northern Europe, Russia and Central Asia]) John M Schreiner told PTI here.

"Globally, once the number of digital IMAX theaters increases in markets which has Bollywood lovers then it makes more economic sense,"he said on the sidelines of the inauguration of Kolkata&aposs first giant screen Aeren R IMAX theater.

Pointing out that distribution and cost of film prints were negligible compared to film roll prints, he said each IMAX film print would cost about USD 30,000.

IMAX currently has around 30 digital IMAX theaters and by end of 2009 the number would increase to 90 across the world, besides 340 IMAX theaters in 42 countries.

The IMAX theater in Kolkata is the fourth in India and five more are planned till 2010. Besides, Kolkata the other three IMAX theaters were in Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Mumbai.

"Two IMAX theaters each are being planned in Chennai and Bangalore in association with Satyam Cinemas besides one in Gurgaon with Aeren R Entertainment," Schreiner said.

The four new IMAX theaters in South India would be in digital format. PTI BSM PC