Hollywood has always inspired Indian cinema with their technical forwardness - be it animation or the more recent phenomena of the 3D films. And often, filmmakers have not really concerned themselves with the Indian cinegoers choice in the matter. And thus, animation films like Jumbo, Roadside Romeo and Toonpur Ka Superrhero have failed despite the presence of A-list stars like Akshay Kumar, Saif-Kareena and Ajay Devgn-Kajol respectively.

3D films have met with a similar reaction from the audience. While Hollywood films likeAvatar and Tintin have drawn multiplex audiences, Indian attempts to master the very technical art have fallen flat. The most recent example being that of Shah Rukh Khan s Don 2.

The film, Don 2 has managed to rake in the moolah at the box office. But its three-dimensional version has fizzled out. The last minute conversion of the film from 2D to 3D took a lot of time and effort. But the sleepless nights could not somehow convert into houseful theatres. In fact, 3D prints of Don 2 were removed from almost all theatres across the country.

A representative from a leading multiplex said on the condition of anonymity, You can not do 3D just for the sake of making a 3D film. In the second week of Don 2, we reduced the 3D shows and in the third week, we removed it altogether. You can not add 3D just for the shock value. We have seen films like Tintin, which was brilliant in 3D. As far as Bollywood is concerned, Haunted that was shot in 3D brought in the necessary footfalls.

Anand Vishal, head of operations of Fun Republic said, In all our theatres, we had more audience for 2D version of Don 2 than 3D. That is when we decided to discontinue it.

A source close to BIG Cinemas added, We removed some prints of the 3D version since we had to accommodate another film. In any case, the film was in its third week. Once cannot expect to get the same revenue as the first week.

Utpal Acharya, the head of distribution and acquisition for Reliance, the makers of Don 2, said, In the first week we had 3105 prints. This included 400 odd pirnts in 3D. The 3D prints were retained in the second week. This week the prints are reduced.

When inquired about the audience feedback on the 3D version, he said, People will always have issues. It happens with Hollywood films as well. The theaters who have only one 3D screen have removed the prints.

Filmmakers are however, undaunted by the audience reaction to 3D. Vikram Bhatt, who shot Haunted in 3D and is in the final legs of shooting his second 3D venture Dangerous Ishq, said, It is bound to fail. Conversion of 2D into 3D takes a long time if it is done well. When it is done in a hurry the result is bad. I have not seen RA.One or Don 2 to comment on their 3D merit, but I know that I am the only one in India who is shooting films in 3D. The audience will get smart soon enough to realise the difference between converted 3D and real 3D.