While the traditional method involves a movie projector, theatres now use the cube method or digital method to screen movies.

The movie projector method required a physical film print to be created and transported. An operator would be present in the screening room where he would mount and change the film print. This would be done for different parts of the film and for different films.
However, the digital method has eliminated this lengthy process. Today, two methods of screening a movie are available:

The cube method is similar to the projector method, in that the movie is loaded onto a machine and has to be screened in the same theatre over and over again.

In the digital method, though, the movie is brought to the theatre by the distributors in a certain device which requires two passwords to be unlocked, one password being entered by the distributor and the other by the technician of that particular theatre.

The passwords are sent to the technicians in advance, making the process similar to opening a locker at the bank. The movie takes three hours to load onto the digital projector and subsequently screened. This method prevents the movie from being copied and
pirated.

“The argument is not that multiplexes are a bane to the industry. We just want some regulations in place. We do get considerably more returns from multiplexes, but regulation will only help better them. Front row seats in Tamil Nadu, for instance, cost only Rs 10. This will encourage more people to go there.”
Basant Kumar Patil, President, KFCC

“It’s so much better to watch movies at home. I don’t want to fix timings and travel to the theatre when the alternative is to invite friends home, make the same popcorn and watch movies on a home theatre.”
Niyati Acharya, student, PESIT