In jatras or religious fairs, movies are shown in a tent, and are a huge source of entertainment for the pilgrims. Usually, there are low entry rates, say RS 20 per seat. There were some 2000 touring talkies in 1985, but there is a decline now.. There are harly 33 touring talkies now, of which some six are in the Western Maharashtra and the rest in Vidarbha and Marathwada. Till 2010, they made good business — say they earned Rs 3 to Rs 4 lac per season. Each tent can seat 500 to 1000 viewers. The business runs for six months of the year. They have tent and the projector is mounted on the truck. The patrons are made to sit on the chairs or on hard ground. They design special film posters for the rural ares.  Trupti Bhoir has made  a film on the touring talkies. The footfalls have reduced on account of satellite films on TV, DVDs and Cable TV.

To begin with, the talkies travelled in bullock carts. Earlier they had night shows, as the movies were showcased in white tents. They now pitch in black tents, making it possible to screen the movies even during the daytime. The tent talkies  begin tours post-Diwali and up to April-May. The remaining months are spent at home.

These talkies have to seek all the permissions every single time they pitch in the tent anywhere. These include permissions for ground, electricity and fire departments. Ideally, there should be one yearly permission. There are heavy taxes levied for new Hindi films. The rentals for tent are high. They should be helped to digitize projection. The insurance companies are reluctant to insure them. There should be a tie-up with the Marathi film producers to take Marathi movies in the rural areas. They should be allowed to participate in the Film Festivals.. They should travel abroad with rare films. Celebrities should endorse this medium.