Mumbai: Aiming to bridge the entertainment gap in rural India, Kissa Shuru Talkies (KST) has launched a new home cinema platform designed to bring newly released films directly to audiences in villages that lack access to cinema halls. The initiative was officially unveiled at a launch event in Mumbai, marking the beginning of a new chapter in rural entertainment distribution.
The launch was inaugurated by Maharashtra’s Minister for Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Ashish Shelar, with veteran actor Sachin Pilgaonkar attending as the chief guest. The event also witnessed participation from several notable personalities from the film industry, including Deepak Tijori, Abhijeet Panse, Viju Mane, Sameer Vidwans, Ashish Bende, Subodh Khanolkar, Priya Berde, Kushal Badrike, Santosh Juvekar, Pushkar Jog, and Vishakha Subhedar.
A special message from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was presented during the event. The KST team also announced plans to expand the platform beyond Maharashtra into Karnataka and Gujarat.
Kissa Shuru Talkies Home Cinema is an HDMI-based device that connects directly to television sets, enabling viewers in rural regions to access newly released films from their homes. The platform allows filmmakers to make their films available through KST, with fresh content downloaded to the device every Friday. Audiences can watch films of their choice for ₹99 per title, offering an affordable alternative to travelling long distances to access theatrical releases.
The platform incorporates two patent-pending technologies developed by KST. The Family Safe Mode feature allows households to curate age-appropriate content, while the Producer-to-Audience Video Call capability enables filmmakers and directors to directly engage with viewers in villages. The system also integrates advanced DRM and forensic watermarking technologies to safeguard content.
During the launch, the first film to be associated with Kissa Shuru Talkies was announced. Acclaimed filmmaker Gajendra Ahire expressed his support for the initiative, describing it as a meaningful step towards improving access to cinema for rural audiences.
The founders of Kissa Shuru Talkies — Santosh Birajdar, Abhishek Jathar, and Shirish Shinde — said the idea emerged from the reality that thousands of villages across Maharashtra still do not have cinema halls, leaving rural moviegoers disconnected from new releases. The platform aims to address this gap while creating a new distribution avenue for Marathi cinema.
Speaking at the event, Ashish Shelar stated, “The concept behind Kissa Shuru Talkies Home Cinema, initiated by young Marathi entrepreneurs, is innovative and timely. By preserving the sentiment of ‘our own cinema’ and delivering films to households across villages simultaneously with their release, this effort is truly commendable. This initiative will play a crucial role in expanding the reach of Marathi films and connecting them with a wider audience.”
Veteran actor Sachin Pilgaonkar added, “Even today, many talukas and rural areas in Maharashtra lack access to cinema halls. Audiences often have to travel up to 50 kilometers just to watch a film. In such a scenario, this initiative is both important and praiseworthy. It presents a wonderful opportunity for rural audiences, and I urge them to make the most of it. I believe this initiative will benefit filmmakers, producers, and audiences alike. Santosh Birajdar has been an old associate, and I extend my heartfelt wishes to him and his entire team.”
