Latest news with #MuktaA2Cinemas
Mint
15-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
From Leh to Kota, multiplexes roll into smalltown and southern India
Several multiplex cinema operators are surging ahead with a two-pronged expansion strategy undeterred by recent unpredictable box office performance. Big multiplexes such asPVR Inox and Cinepolis as well as smaller companies such as Miraj Entertainment Ltd, Mukta A2 Cinemas, and MovieMax Cinemas have set their eyes on tier 2 and 3 markets such as Patna, Shillong, Jaipur, Kota, and Leh-Ladakh to build low-cost cinemas with local developers. The second part of the strategy involves focusing on markets in South India, including cities like Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Huballi, Kochi, and Cuddalore that boast a robust theatre-going culture, according to industry experts. These expansion plans come amid a lacklustre first half of the year for the Hindi film industry, the country's biggest, which is pinning hopes on a stronger second half with a wave of sequels and stories rooted in mythology and folk traditions, as Mint reported on . However, real estate experts said the overall cinema industry's expansion remains fairly conservative, with smaller properties and fewer screens planned as alternative entertainment options such as OTT (video-streaming platforms) have become increasingly popular, especially post covid. 'The South is a strategic focus area for us," said Kunal Sawhney, chief operating officer, MovieMax Cinemas. 'The region's rich cinema culture, coupled with the popularity of films across multiple languages, allows for greater programming flexibility and wider appeal. This, in turn, leads to better (seat) occupancies." MovieMax is targeting several towns across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka as part of its expansion, which includes expanding to tier 2 and 3 cities, particularly those with populations of 500,000 and above, Sawhney added. 'In these markets, average ticket price will be lower than metros, in alignment with local affordability. (But) we typically partner with strong regional developers who have a deep understanding of local market potential and are committed to delivering a high-quality mall experience tailored to the needs of the community," Sawhney said. Pricing caps, regulations, and other challenges Rahul Puri, managing director, Mukta Arts and Mukta A2 Cinemas, agreed these smaller markets hold strong potential, as ticket prices in these regions are designed to reflect local dynamics, making cinema-going more accessible to wider audiences. Mukta too is collaborating with regional developers to develop multiplexes in smaller cities. Referring to tier 2 and 3 markets as commercially promising yet under-screened, Bhuvanesh Mendiratta, managing director, Miraj Entertainment, said ticket prices in smaller cities are calibrated to local affordability, averaging ₹180-200, significantly lower than in metro cities. 'We partner with local developers, including mall owners and standalone theatre operators, often converting single screens into three to four screen multiplexes," said Mendiratta, whose company is venturing into cities such as Sitapur, Alwar, Ittawa, and Sambalpur. Miraj Entertainment plans to add 40-50 screens in 2025-26, of which 25-30% will be in South India, including cities such as Chennai, Kozhikode, Visakhapatnam, Kurnool, and Tumkur. To be sure, southern markets pose certain unique challenges for multiplexes, according to some experts. Anuj Kejriwal, CEO and managing director, ANAROCK Retail, a property consultancy, said cinemas in South India faced strict state-imposed caps on ticket prices, a less well-developed mall culture in some cities, as well as the prevalence of single-screen theatres. Complex regulations and competition from OTT platforms can reduce overall profitability for cinemas and prevent faster adoption of luxury formats in the southern markets, industry experts said. In several small cities in South India, multiplexes will need to modify their business models according to the local market dynamics and requirements to ensure sustainable growth, they added. That said, some of these hurdles and evolving dynamics aren't specific to South India. 'Competition from OTT and general lack of new content in cinemas has meant that companies are now quick to give up on properties that aren't doing well," said Abhishek Sharma, director, retail, at realty consultancy Knight Frank. 'Further, from the 10-plus screens planned earlier, theatre chains aren't looking at more than eight screens as the best possible scenario now."
Mint
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Bollywood scripts recovery with sequels and small-town strategy
After a lacklustre first half in 2025 with box office collections just crossing ₹1,900 crore, the Hindi film industry is pinning hopes on a stronger second half. A packed release calendar, a wave of sequels, and stories rooted in mythology and folk traditions are expected to drive revenues up by 20–30%, theatre owners and producers said. The recovery strategy centres on reaching audiences in tier-two and tier-three towns through culturally resonant stories. Franchises like Son of Sardaar 2, War 2, Baaghi 4, and Jolly LLB 3, along with folklore-inspired films like Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 and Thama, are expected to dominate the theatrical landscape in the coming months. Franchises are a series of films that continue the story of popular characters or worlds—building on past successes to attract loyal audiences with sequels and spin-offs. 'There is a clear strategy (to reach out to small-town audiences). A lot of the upcoming films are sequels, mythological stories, or based on Indian folklore. These are not just creative choices—they're strategic," said Bhuvanesh Mendiratta, managing director at Miraj Entertainment Ltd, which operates multiplex theatres. Franchises, he said, have a ready audience, while mythological and folklore-based content resonates strongly with families in smaller cities. 'These films work better in single screens and tier-two and tier-three cities, where people prefer larger-than-life, rooted stories," Mendiratta added. Also read: Regional content gains ground on OTTs even as Hindi dominates Return of epics The trend is expected to continue well into 2026. Ranbir Kapoor will headline a two-part Ramayana franchise scheduled for Diwali 2026 and 2027, while Vicky Kaushal will play eternal warrior Parashurama in Mahavatar, slated for a December 2026 release. 'Films that are rooted in our culture or drawn from epics often connect well with the audience," said film producer Anand Pandit. 'The broad canvas offered by mythology or folklore allows filmmakers to shape narratives that appeal to viewers who enjoy grand, impactful stories anchored in nostalgia or tradition." Pandit added that the next six months would likely showcase audience-friendly spectacles, emotional mid-budget stories, and the return of familiar franchises. 'If these films succeed, they could provide the kind of breakthroughs the industry needs right now," he said. Also read: Never mind the movie - just get the popcorn! That's the latest audience trend at the cinema Franchises over originals Franchise-building is emerging as a go-to model in the absence of fresh stories. One viable strategy at this point is to create franchises and therefore build on a universe audiences already know of, said Satwik Lele, chief operating officer at MuktaA2 Cinemas. While this might indicate a lack of originality, Lele pointed out that Hollywood relies heavily on sequels too, citing upcoming releases like The Fantastic 4: First Steps and Avatar: Fire and Ash. Packed release calendar Experts say the release schedule in the second half of 2025 marks a clear departure from the sporadic releases of 2024 and early 2025. Film producer and trade expert Girish Johar said the steady flow of films is key to restoring the movie-going habit. 'The consistency in release schedules is important to ensure people stay used to coming to theatres. That habit formation also helps the small and mid-budget films to perform," he said. Also read: Online games and self-publishing platforms: movie producers tap new avenues for fresh plotlines
News18
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Aamir Khan's Cinema-First Approach Gets A Shoutout From Subhash Ghai
Last Updated: The Sitaare Zameen Par actor stated that he would undoubtedly choose theatres if given the choice. Renowned Bollywood filmmaker Subhash Ghai has praised actor-producer Aamir Khan for his commitment to reviving Hindi cinema and preserving India's theatre culture. Ghai not only lauded Khan for his performance in a recently released blockbuster, Sitaare Zameen Par, but also appreciated his decision not to release the film to OTT platforms immediately. Taking to the photo-sharing app, Instagram, Ghai posted a picture of Khan and wrote, 'Dear Aamir, You have done it again to bring dignity to Hindi cinema with your heartwarming film in cinema halls and pledging not to show it on the small screen for six months." He further mentioned, 'I'm glad that all India exhibitors honoured you as a brave filmmaker yesterday for respecting the business of big-screen theatres too. Congratulations and blessings." Before concluding the post, Ghai also tagged major cinema chains, including Mukta A2 Cinemas, PVR Cinemas, INOX Movies, Cinepolis and Zee Cinema. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SG (@subhashghai1) Aamir Khan feels that the quality of Indian films hasn't improved in the previous three to four years and that the only way to boost sales is to avoid selling your movie to OTT platforms before six months have passed. The Sitaare Zameen Par actor stated in an interview with Hindustan Times that he would undoubtedly choose theatres if given the choice. He believes that the 'safety crutch" of the OTT industry has made matters worse. The difference is that previously, films were available on OTT six months after their theatrical debut. He suggested that if people want us to start over, studios and producers will need to say, 'We won't sell to OTT before six months," and then observe how the company develops. Kamal Gianchandani, the former president of The Multiplex Association of India, stated in the statement, 'Aamir Khan has always prioritised the audience in his films. His decision to bring Sitaare Zameen Par exclusively to cinemas is a significant show of confidence in theatres and the shared magic of the moviegoing experience." He further mentioned, 'Indian exhibitors thank Aamir Khan for standing by theatres. As we continue to welcome audiences with renewed energy and world-class films, Sitaare Zameen Par will remain a shining example of cinema's resilience and its irreplaceable magic." Sitaare Zameen Par is a sequel to the 2007 film Taare Zameen Par. Directed by RS Prasanna, the film also starred Genelia D'Souza in the lead role. First Published:
Mint
17-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Few winners, many misses in Bollywood's lopsided H1 recovery story
Costly multiplex tickets and refreshments and release of only a handful of tentpole movies continue to hurt Bollywood business, with the first half of calendar 2025 expected to see a meagre 10-20% increase in revenue over the same period a year ago, trade experts said. But for the few big-ticket releases, the Hindi film business would have fallen short of the box-office collection in the first half of calendar 2024, they added. Among those that aided box-office momentum this year include Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava, which leads the pack with ₹600.10 crore, followed by Ajay Devgn's Raid 2 ( ₹176.93 crore), Housefull 5 ( ₹162.69 crore), Bhool Chuk Maaf ( ₹72.58 crore), Kesari Chapter 2 ( ₹93.28 crore), and Salman Khan's Sikandar ( ₹103.45 crore). Still, trade insiders flag weak returns for big-star titles like Sikandar, Housefull 5 and Kesari, pointing to an urgent need for a steadier stream of theatrical hits. Also read: The rise of small-town stories on OTT: A cost-effective, culturally rich trend The gross box office collections of Hindi films in the first six months of 2024 stood at around ₹1, 700 crore, trade experts said. Business was impacted by the Lok Sabha elections and the IPL (Indian Premier League) as producers deferred multiple releases. 'Things are marginally better than last year but the first half is usually impacted by the fact that most producers prefer to release big films in the second half when there are more holidays and festivals," Rahul Puri, managing director, Mukta Arts and Mukta A2 Cinemas said. While that often leads to a slew of big titles bunched up together, unlike the West that sees summer as a lucrative period for theatre-going, Indian film studios naturally gravitate towards festivals like Diwali, Independence Day and Christmas, all of which fall in the second half, Puri added. Also read: Indian film stars' political ambitions can dim box office allure, experts warn To be sure though, while box-office earnings may appear stable due to higher ticket prices, Bollywood still isn't faring well as far as the number of released films finding draw, goes. According to media consulting firm Ormax, 2024 had registered 88.3 crore (883 million) footfalls, reflecting a 6% decline from 2023. Footfalls in 2024 were lower than the last two years, and continue to remain lower than pre-pandemic levels. While 13 Hindi films had crossed the ₹50-crore mark in domestic box-office collections in the first half of 2019, the figure stands at eight in 2025. Also read: From influencers to moguls: Why digital creators are launching production houses 'The business continues to remain skewed towards the big winners that are riding the wave. But you can't call this a revival unless the average improves," film producer Shariq Patel said. Further, multiple films have benefited from buy-one get-one offers and ₹99 discounted ticket rate initiatives, carried out over the past few months. Independent exhibitor Vishek Chauhan agreed that the business would have fallen short if not for the handful of hits like Raid 2, Chhaava and Housefull. Unlike pre-covid when medium and small-budget films were finding favour in cinemas along with big franchises and tentpole titles, it is clear that the theatrical landscape is now dominated by franchises and everything else has moved to home viewing. 'The big concern, however, is that the pipeline is still staggered and films aren't getting launched or released with the same consistency as pre-covid. Also, movies still aren't taking big openings. Lifetime earnings are a function of several things, but a good start shows people are at least interested in giving the film a shot," Chauhan added.
Mint
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Old hits and IPL screenings offer buzz, but not cash for cinemas
As the Bollywood pipeline ran dry, cinemas had turned to re-releases of older hits and screenings of live events like cricket matches to draw footfall. However, their contribution to overall revenues of movie theatres remained marginal. While these strategies help boost audience engagement and drive food and beverage (F&B) sales, these are more stopgap measures than sustainable revenue streams even as a couple of films did better than original theatrical runs. 'We don't see a great amount of revenue coming from these alternate streams. Their overall earnings are quite miniscule compared to a new blockbuster such as Chhaava that made up 75% of all box office in the January to March quarter," Rahul Puri, managing director, Mukta Arts and Mukta A2 Cinemas said. In lean quarters, the share of re-released films may appear inflated, but the model isn't viable in the long run, he added, even though some level of experimentation will continue. To be sure, for Indian cinema, tapping into nostalgia has become the latest gamble to lure audiences back to theatres. Re-releases of beloved hits like Rockstar, Tumbbad, and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani have struck gold at the box office. Movies that had barely found any draw during their initial run, are being rediscovered by audiences. Sanam Teri Kasam, a romantic drama, is currently one of the highest grossing re-releases in India, having made over ₹35 crore in box-office collections against ₹9.11 crore garnered in 2016. Laila Majnu earned over ₹11 crore last year, surpassing its original box-office takings of ₹2-3 crore when released in 2018. Also Read: Re-released romantic films capture the hearts of young, nostalgic viewers Evolving destinations Multiplex chains like PVR Inox have also experimented with live screenings of IPL matches across 30-plus cities, pitching cinemas as evolving 'multi-faceted entertainment destinations." These initiatives have picked up pace in recent months amid a dearth of big-ticket Hindi releases. 'These streams cannot be seen as a stable source of revenue in the digital age (where all the films and sports tournaments stream on OTT platforms)," independent exhibitor Vishek Chauhan said. 'It is a one-off thing primarily driven by the fact that the supply chain (of new movies) isn't fulfilling audience demand well enough." Even among the re-releases, it's a case of hit and trial, he added. While some titles, such as Sanam Teri Kasam, have done better than even new films, others, such as Andaz Apna Apna, Karan Arjun and Ghatak, barely found any draw. Similarly, sports tournaments such as the IPL or live screening of the Ram Mandir inauguration ceremony were seen more as space fillers than big revenue generators. 'Cinemas are meant for movies and new titles primarily drive admissions," said Amit Sharma, former managing director, Miraj Entertainment, which operates multiplex theatres. 'While theatres will bring re-releases back whenever there is an opportunity, these can't make a big difference to the numbers," added Sharma, who stepped down from his role last week. The release calendar is more evenly spread this year as compared to 2024, making for lesser scope for re-releases and other initiatives over time. Also Read: Single-screen cinemas hold off on property conversion offers even as theatrical business declines
