Gaiety and Galaxy in Bandra are the theaters known to give you the true verdict. These along with Chandan in Juhu are where film makers and stars visit to gauge their films destiny. Likewise “Plaza Cinema” at Dadar in Mumbai has proved itself to be the pride and epicenter of Marathi Cinema. Thus it was a matter of ample pride that the premier of “Aatapita” was to be held at the historic and large “Plaza”.
The first time that the reels of the film would in front of an audience as large as Plaza could hold was going to be tonight- the night of 9th December 2010. The premier show!! A night prior to the film releasing all over Maharashtra!!
The show was to start at 6:30 pm. Invites were given out and accordingly the cars started streaming in. Tonight was the semifinal. Our best was already given out and was there on screen what we needed now was audience to lap it up in a right temperament.
The show began at 6:50 to the packed house. Standing in the ails we watched the reactions. Some were still settling down while some had already got into the film. Would they be laughing where we wanted them to? Would they laugh at the wrong places? The nails were already chewed off! Cigarettes were fast depleting. 30 minutes into the film and we were beginning to relax. Around 900 people were together laughing and not laughing, grinning and frowning at exactly where they were supposed to. The power of cinema was at display.
The crowd poured out in the interval. The faces were pleasant but it was too early to gauge the films impact at the half length stage.
Post interval as the hall was packed again, felicitations took place. Most important amongst them was calling the crew on stage and clicking the unit picture. 
Tonight was their night. The dress-man, the spot boys, art department, asst directors and so many others who toiled their bottoms away in making the film needed to feel our warmth and gratitude for their contribution. After that happened, in walked our very dear Jaggu dada! Jackie Shroff was amongst us to wish us luck and of course to please the shutter bugs as they went crazy at his entry.
Post all the ceremonies the film started again. They say a film is as good as its second half. It is what the audience takes home with them. Hence if the second half staggers, the film falls. Thus as the end approached our anxiety levels had reached their peak!!
Finally the credits began rolling and the lights came on to 900 people clapping in unison!! It could be heard outside the theater premises. The clapping went on for a minute and as I stood inside the auditorium in a corner scanning each face minutely, I knew they were not flattering. They had liked the film. They had genuinely been entertained for 2 hours and 10 minutes!!
The premiere was a success. We had won the semi final. It was now time for the finals that started 10th December 2010 onwards.
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