TheatreMagic ::: December 2017 - February 2018

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PVR Q2 Profit Down 15% to 25 Crore country. The company intends to add approximately 65-70 screens in FY2017-18. PVR shares were trading 1.49 per cent down at 1,396 on BSE.

Multiplex chain operator PVR reported a 15.13 per cent decline in consolidated net profit at 24.72 crore for the quarter ended September 30. The company had posted a net profit of 29.13 crore during the same period previous fiscal, PVR Ltd said in a regulatory filing. Total income during the quarter under review fell 0.31 per cent at 559.52 crore as against 561.30 crore in the July-September quarter last fiscal. "For 20 years, we have worked ardently to take India to the movies with new and innovative offerings like gold class, director's cut, plush recliners, IMAX, 4DX, Playhouse, PXL, Dolby Atmos, VR Lounge, Vkaao to add more layers of excitement and joy to the cinematic experience of our customers," PVR Ltd Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Bijli said. Revenue from movie exhibition during the period stood at 532.19 crore compared to 516.46 crore in the year-ago period. Box office revenues for the quarter were up by 7 per cent at 299.3 crore on yearly basis, the company said. Advertising revenues rose by 10 per cent year-on-year to 68.8 crore, it added Total expenses during the period were 520.23 crore as against 517.30 crore in the same period of previous fiscal. PVR currently operates a network of 600 screens spread over 131 properties in 51 cities across the

F&B, Ad Segments Push Overall Revenues of Multiplexes: ICRA Over the last three years, the Indian multiplex industry has grown at approximately 13 per cent CAGR in terms of operating screens and 14 per cent CAGR in terms of revenue. The silver lining though is the healthy growth of food and beverages (F&B) and advertisement segments which have grown at a faster pace of 21 per cent CAGR. According to Vice President and Sector Head, Mr Shubham Jain, "The non-exhibition segments - F&B and advertisement - have given a strong push to the overall revenues of a multiplex, a trend which is expected to continue in the near term, given the enormous potential of these segments. Through the use of differential offerings with the help of the latest technologies and diversified food options, the multiplex players are striving to improve their average realisations per footfall."

With the recent implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in the multiplex industry, the state level entertainment tax has been subsumed with a more standard taxation structure, which will benefit the multiplex industry with the availability of input tax credit. However, with a view to push revenues per footfall, the Indian multiplex players have resorted to differential and customised offerings to provide the customers with a better movie viewing experience. They have been innovative in opening up of IMAX screens, luxury lounges, kids' auditorium and ondemand theatre services. With the inclusion of interactive food ordering kiosks and regional gourmet options, the multiplexes are striving to improve their F&B revenues. A lower F&B spend per head to average ticket price ratio at the Indian multiplexes as compared to their global peers leave room for Indian multiplexes to further capitalise on this segment. Further, advertisement revenues have also witnessed a steady growth in the last three years and provide support to the multiplexes in times of volatile occupancy levels. As for the single screen theatres, though they still occupy a greater share of the film exhibition market, these have been shutting shop due to the contemporary offerings of the multiplexes, which leave room for the multiplex players to improve their market share. "Going forward, ICRA's outlook on the Indian multiplex industry is a "positive" for the medium term, given the potential to expand due to low screen density, an efficient taxation structure, differential offerings and steady growth in the F&B and advertisement segments. Overall, we expect the credit profile of the multiplex players to remain healthy on account of the continuing consolidation, increasing penetration of multiplexes and limited debtfunded growth plans." added Mr Jain.

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SC Asks Govt to Consider Regulating Playing of National Anthem in Theatres The apex court had last year ordered the theatres across the country to mandatorily play the national anthem before a movie. The Supreme Court on recently asked the Centre to consider amending the national flag code for regulating the playing of the national anthem in cinema halls across the country. A bench, comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said the Centre has to take a call uninfluenced by its earlier order on the playing of the national anthem in the theatres. During the hearing, Attorney General K K Venugopal, appearing for the Centre, said India was a diverse country and the national anthem needs to be played in the cinema halls to bring in uniformity. The bench indicated that it may modify its order of December 1, 2016, by which the playing of the anthem was made mandatory for cinema halls before the screening of a movie, and it may replace the word "shall" with "may". The apex court had last year ordered the theatres across the country to mandatorily play the national anthem before a movie and the audience must stand and show respect, in a bid to "instill committed patriotism and nationalism". It had said that "love and respect for the motherland is reflected when one shows respect to the national anthem as well as to the national flag". The court had barred printing of the anthem or a part of it on any object and displaying it in such a manner at places which may be "disgraceful to its status and tantamount to disrespect". The court's directions had come on a

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PIL filed by one Shyam Narayan Chouksey seeking directions that the national anthem should be played in all the cinema halls before a film begins. It had also said proper norms and protocol should be fixed regarding its playing and singing at official functions and programmes where those holding constitutional office are present.

Actor Vijay Declares Controversyridden Mersal Big Hit, Thanks Supporters

"There was also some opposition to Mersal, which is a hit. As a response to that, my friends from the film world ie actors and actresses, directors, bodies like SIAA (South Indian Artistes Association) and TFPC (Tamil Film Producers Council) and popular leaders at national level, state political leaders and political representatives extended big support to me and the Mersal crew," he said in the statement. "I extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who had made Mersal a grand success and for supporting it," he said. In a scene from the movie, which has since gone viral on the social media, Vijay's character brings up Goods and Services Tax (GST) and health care in the country.

PVR to Acquire Minority Stake in US-based Theatre Firm iPic

Tamil star Vijay, whose latest film 'Mersal' faced opposition from the BJP leaders in the state over its references to GST, thanked those who supported the film. In a statement, the actor thanked fans and supporters for standing by him. The movie has become a box office hit.

Multiplex operator PVR said it will acquire a minority stake in US-based luxury restaurant and theatre company iPic Gold Class Entertainment LLC (iPic) for an undisclosed sum, a move that would give PVR exposure in the cinema exhibition market of the US. iPic owns and operates 16 luxury theatres and 121 screens across 10 states in the United States.



The Board of Directors approved the proposed investment and strategic partnership between PVR and iPic, PVR Ltd said in a regulatory filing. The completion of investment is subject to relevant corporate and regulatory approvals. Besides, iPic has agreed to appoint PVR Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Bijli to its board of directors after its planned initial public offering that it had announced earlier.

HC Quashes Plea against Mersal Censor Certificate The Madras High Court dismissed a petition seeking to revoke the censor certificate of the controversial movie Mersal, citing that it was only an imaginative story and that the freedom of expression was there for all. Mersal was in the midst of a controversy after the Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded the removal of certain dialogues, which take a dig at the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Digital India programme. The High Court, in this context, said, "Why was there no complaint against smoking and drinking in films or about the projection of LGBT? A film is only an imaginative story and it is not real life. If someone doesn't like a film, a person can refrain from viewing it. The freedom of expression is there for all."

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However, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, his senior colleague P Chidambaram, DMK working president MK Stalin, Tamil superstar Rajinikanth, veteran actor Kamal Haasan and a host of Tamil cinema industry representatives have supported the cast and crew of the film.

INOX Unveils Asia's First Augmented Reality Experience

Cinemagoers at INOX will be enthralled with life-sized 3D Tyrannosauruses, Astronauts, Cheetahs, Polar Bears and many more amazing characters and scenes in Asia's first-ever Augmented Reality (AR) experience in a multiplex at INOX's 7 Star properties in Mumbai. The newly renovated INOX at R City Mall, Ghatkopar and the iconic Metro INOX at Marine Lines have unveiled an award winning AR experience. This globally acclaimed AR experience which has been enjoyed in over 40 countries is now available at these 7 Star INOX properties in a large-screen format that immerses visitors in a unique interactive digital environment surrounded by photorealistic 3D characters. Cinemagoers can capture and share their best moments from this experience as high-quality photos or videos. In keeping with INOX's ethos of using technology to deliver convenience and delight to guests, this Augmented Reality experience is a step in that direction. It is yet another experience at INOX that will engage and entertain guests beyond movies.

The AR experience fascinates children and adults alike, allowing them to get up-close and personal with magnificent creatures and experiences in cinema quality 3D animations. INOX has been a pioneer at using technological innovations like the first-ever in-app food ordering feature that lets guests order to their seats, touchscreen kiosks like fast bites & fast tickets and unique customer-facing point-of-sale (POS) touchscreens to reduce the time spent by a cinemagoer in lines to buy tickets & food. This allows guests at INOX to enjoy their outing at the movies with friends and family while immersing themselves in bespoke experiences like mesmerizing Augmented Reality, Play the gaming zone and Kiddles a dedicated zone for kids. Commenting on this development, Alok Tandon, CEO - INOX Leisure Ltd. said, "It is our goal at INOX to deliver superlative experiences to cinemagoers. With this first-ever AR experience in a multiplex, we are giving our guests yet another reason to make their visit at INOX memorable. Technology has always been at the heart of our design of multiplexes, which aims to deliver convenience, engage and entertain our guests. We welcome children and adults alike to this bespoke experience at our 7 star properties."

Cinema Hall Vandalised in Rajasthan for Playing Padmavati Trailer Film industry has yet again become a soft target to hooliganism. More than 50 activists of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena had recently created brawl and vandalised a cinema hall



"Under selected channel, it is not appropriate to sell the food products at higher rates. Consumers should not face trouble while buying these items at multiplexes or any open market. Everyone should sell on MRP as per the regulations," he said at a meeting with representatives of multiplexes and district legal metrology officers. in the Aakash Mall near the Aerodrome circle for allegedly screening a trailer of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed Padmavati. Six of the eight persons detained in connection with vandalising were arrested while two of them were released after interrogation, police said. The six accused produced before a court that sent them to judicial custody till November 19. The police have booked about 30 to 40 others in connection with the case, an official said. Police had to use force to disperse the activists from the cinema hall.

Multiplexes Asked to Sell Food Items at MRP by Visakhapatnam District Collector Pravin Kumar, Visakhapatnam collector, has directed the multiplexes in the city not to hike the maximum retail price (MRP) of food items, cool drinks, and other products.

The new rule, which came into effect on October 30th, will make sure that the customers can buy the products at their specified MRPs.

Cinepolis India to Operate Spice Cinemas, Noida

Cinépolis, India's 1st international and the world's 3rd largest exhibitor has started operating the Noida multiplex of Spice cinemas, with effect from 29th September, 2017. Situated in Sector 25, Noida, the 9-screen Spice Cinemas multiplex with a total seating capacity of 1843 will benefit from this association with Cinépolis in terms of systematic operations & enhanced profitability. Post the deal, the Cinépolis team will research and evaluate all possibilities to further enhance consumer experience at the cinema. As a result of this analysis, the team will develop a detailed plan to upgrade services in the cinema. After this upgradation, the cinema will open as Cinépolis Noida, tentatively in Q2 2018. Cinépolis India now boasts of 326 screens across India. The company

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has created a strong footprint across 52 Indian cities, having a strong presence in major metros and strategically targeting tier-I and tierII cities in order to grow its brand presence. Javier Sotomayor, Managing Director, Cinépolis India said, "I am happy to announce that Cinépolis India will now be operating and running Spice Cinemas, Noida. We welcome this opportunity and are committed to add more value to our customers' entertainment experience. Cinépolis India is known to provide a state of the art experience and we want to continue to replicate the same at the Spice Cinema property as well. We will also be bringing in our global expertise and know-how in running the multiplex." Devang Sampat, Director - Strategic Initiatives, Cinépolis mentioned "This deal is in line with our strategy to focus on our core business. The deal will provide the management of the mall, an opportunity to run the mall more efficiently. Cinépolis will soon bring in its loyalty program, programming expertise, the brand Coffee Tree as well as customer centric service which will elevate the customers' movie watching experience." Kamlapati Kashyap, Director in Spice Mall, Noida stated, "We are excited about the Cinema deal in Spice mall and will benefit from the expertise and global experience of Cinépolis in the exhibition business that will support us in the impending upgrade of Spice Mall as a 'SMART Mall' with free Wi-Fi zone and other amenities. In turn, the property is located in a prime location in Noida and is thus strategically important for Cinépolis in the India market." The Mexican multiplex chain has transformed the movie watching experience of its patrons while providing a truly international movie-watching experience to cinema lovers in India.



• S P E C I A L F E AT U R E •

Visual Experience with Better Screens Technology The leading screen technology company, Harkness Screens recently announced the introduction of its new high performance coating technology Nanolast. It is poised to create a significantly more robust and durable surface with added visual performance improvements. Mark Ashcroft, CEO, Harkness Screens, on his recent visit to India, talks to Raghavendra T, EditorPublisher, TheatreWorld about the company's threefold plans of investment and technical & commercial activities in India. Harkness Screens is the world's leading screen technology company, specialising in the design and manufacture of projection screens and supporting technologies. From single-screen independent theatres to large multiplexes to large format immersive theatre experiences or live events, Harkness supplies thousands of screens every year for cinema, film production, special effects, live events and custom AV applications. With truly global reach, Harkness is regarded as the world leader in cinema and today has screens in more cinemas worldwide than any other manufacturer. With its industry leading 2D and 3D screen brands (Perlux and Spectral) along with its innovative range of tools and iOS/Android apps, Harkness continues to lead the way in screen technology for cinema.

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Mark Ashcroft CEO - Harkness Screens

The world leader recently announced the introduction of its new high performance coating technology Nanolast. Nanolast coating technology is an improvement added to the formulation of all of Harkness' coated screen families (including Clarus XC, Perlux and Spectral). The new technology adds a stronger polymer structure to the existing coating technology to create a significantly more robust and durable surface with added visual performance improvements.

Mark Ashcroft's Significant Visit to India Raghavendra T, Editor-Publisher, TheatreWorld catches up with Mark Ashcroft, CEO, Harkness Screens on his recent visit to India. Mark talks about the company's threefold plans of investing in technical and commercial activities in India: "Firstly, we've established a technical and commercial office in central Bangalore. It provides us with an opportunity to recruit more staff; to

Mark with Harkness Screens India Team



• S P E C I A L F E AT U R E • give them a working environment that's conducive to 21st century technology. We would like people to join us in this exciting journey in India. Secondly, we've got a number of major clients based in India. It's always interesting to learn about their plans for future and the challenges they face and how we can address them. And thirdly, probably the most significant for me, is the introduction of a new chemical technology within the screen for better performance and higher quality. We're fortunate that our screens have got a lifetime, which can be anywhere between 7 - 12 years, depending on the environmental conditions. Improved performance is very critical because if we want the millennials of today to come back to cinema we will have to match up with the experience they are used to on their cell phones or flat screen TVs. If we can do that we can help the cinemas attract the millennials for a lifetime. We've have had a great financial year world over but specifically in India, our business has grown by more than 12 per cent per annum for last two years. More and more cinemas are buying high end screen surfaces. In India, cinema owners are taking their presentation quality seriously."

On Retrospective Note On a retrospective note, Mark says, "For Harkness, India has been an interesting market since mid 1990s. We've sold screens in the country for a number of years. In 2011, we decided to start our manufacturing unit in Bangalore. It opened in 2013. It's very important for us to be close to the market and to technical and sales team. It makes things easier for the customers. The cinema screen is a pretty cumbersome item to transport. So being here has helped us keep the complexities at bay and has helped our customers. In addition to that is the new technology Nanolast for the

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Mark with Preetham Daniel - SVP Asia of Harkness Screens (Left) and Raghav - Editor of TheatreWorld (Right)

surface of the screen, which we have been able to manufacture here and give the Indian cinema industry the opportunity to benefit from this technical advancement. The cinema operator gets to improve the movie presentation with the new technology."

Nanolast Technology Improving Robustness David Harrison CTO of Harkness Screens said, "At Harkness we strive to continue to improve the performance of our screens. Nanolast technology is a major enhancement providing exhibitors with a more durable screen less prone to installation or surface damage. By adding additional strength to the base coating technology, we are able to mitigate the most often seen types of screen damage and therefore reduce the risk of exhibitors requiring screen replacements thus improving total cost of ownership from their Harkness coated cinema screens." Whilst improving robustness, Nanolast technology also enhances the visual performance of screen surfaces by creating an even smoother, whiter and more uniform finish. This improvement creates a more immersive viewing experience by increasing the richness of colours, adding further depth of field to 3D presentations and widening viewing angles. "Many of our customers are now starting to rapidly adopt the latest

projection technologies including phosphor and RGB laser. The unique properties of Nanolast provide a complementary surface for showcasing the visual improvements offered in the latest generation of cinema projectors such as 4K, HDR and wide colour gamut," Harrison adds. Nanolast technology is an incremental improvement added to all Harkness coated screens and is now available from Harkness' global manufacturing facilities in USA, China, UK, France and India. "Nano technology and nano chemistry is all about small particles and if we can use those small particles in screen surface we can give better properties to cinema owners. Our expectation is that Clarus screens will continue to grow in India and the introduction of Nanolast technology will enhance that performance," said Mark.

Plans for the Coming Years "Our Perlux product, which has been for 2D, has been reengineered. The indications are that the reengineering has given it greater whiteness and brightness. A lot of people are looking for better 2D and this next-gen of Perlux has a competent screen technology. We've been investing in manufacturing units across the world to give better screen quality and performances. We want to engage with customers as to how we can optimise their business," points out Mark.



• BUSINESS TREND •

Qube Cinema & UFO Moviez

AN EPIC MERGER Chennai-based Qube Cinema Technologies Private Limited and Mumbai-based UFO Moviez India Limited recently announced a merger of their businesses. Considering the existing market dynamics, the proposed merger of the two companies will lead to robust growth opportunities in India and world over. Chennai-based Qube Cinema Technologies Private Limited (Qube) (formerly Real Image Media Technologies Private Limited) and Mumbai-based UFO Moviez India Limited (UFO) recently announced a merger of their businesses. Qube, Qube Digital and Moviebuff are part of the Qube group whereas PJSA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UFO. These two will be part of the merger. The merger ratio based on relative Valuation stands at 63.6% for UFO and 36.4% for Qube Digital. The proposed transaction is expected to further solidify the merged entity's position in India's digital cinema distribution and in-cinema advertising industry. As on June 30, 2017, the combined entity, for its in-cinema advertising platform will have a presence across 7,300 digital screens spread across India with a seating capacity of ~95.5 million per week.

NO. OF SCREENS UFO

4,000

QUBE

3,300

Sanjay Gaikwad Founder & Managing Director UFO Moviez "We are excited to combine our business with such a strong partner. Qube has not only built a strong digital cinema and in-cinema advertising network in India but has also developed interesting technology products relating to film business for global application. The combined Company would have a stronger position in India's digital cinema distribution and in-cinema advertising industry. The combination will bring together capabilities, talent, strong processes of both Companies and we together look forward to creating value for the entire Cinema value chain."

Senthil Kumar Co-founder Qube Cinema "We are excited to partner with UFO and believe that the combination of the proven business models of the two companies would be extremely beneficial. Together, we will create a robust network offering digital cinema and in-cinema advertising services. UFO's strengths combined with Qube's strong technology focus would position the combined entity to deliver long-term growth at a faster pace. With extraordinary reach and execution capabilities, we are bringing together two worldclass organizations to deliver much more, thus maximizing value for all stakeholders."

Prashant Purker

RELATIVE VALUATION

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UFO

63.6%

QUBE

36.4%

December 2017 - February 2018

Managing Director & CEO ICICI Venture "We believe the combination of UFO and Qube would be synergistic and value accretive for all stakeholders. We are pleased to have acted as a catalyst in this transaction as a partner and financial investor in the combined entity."


• BUSINESS TREND • the film industry and advertisers a comprehensive bouquet of services.

Details of the Merger •

UFO and Qube are engaged in the business of digital cinema distribution and operate in-cinema advertising platforms. Considering the existing entertainment and advertising market dynamics, the proposed merger of the two companies will lead to robust growth opportunities in India and globally and will create greater value for their respective shareholders. UFO currently uses MPEG4 technology for the transmission of content into e-Cinema theatres whereas Qube uses MPEG2 technology for e-Cinema theatres and has also developed its own DCI compliant servers. Going forward, it is expected that the combined entity will develop and deploy both D-Cinema and eCinema systems that incorporate the best features of the multiple technologies available to the company and will thus be in a position to offer its clients viz:

Both UFO, with 4,000 advertising screens, and Qube, with 3,300 advertising screens, have large advertising networks. The two companies also have complementary geographical strengths with Qube having a deeper penetration in South India and UFO having a similar presence in the rest of India. The merged business will therefore be able to offer a pan India in-cinema advertising network covering over 7,300 screens, significantly improving the overall value proposition for clients. The two companies also have complementary strengths in terms of client base, presenting attractive cross-sell opportunities. Further, the proposed merger would bring about synergies of operations and benefits of scale by minimizing the duplication of administrative functions,

combining some infrastructural requirements and unifying legal and regulatory compliances. •

Qube has developed Qube Wire which is a self-service, singlewindow system for global theatrical distribution. With a simple but comprehensive user interface, distributors can manage their DCP assets, assign territorial rights and have their content and keys delivered to any theatre in the world. Theatres can manage their own digital cinema system details and access their Universal Inbox on the Qube Wire service as well.

This service is currently in the process of commercialization but is already in operation on a limited-scale serving select clients. UFO, in addition to its screen network in India, also has a network of screens overseas. The combined network, post-amalgamation, will allow faster monetization of Qube Wire and other IP based Qube products, both within India and internationally.




• INDIA PLEXING •

Bharath Cinemas

Shivamogga's First Multiplex Bharath Cinemas (Cineplex Pvt Ltd) unveiled its second property in Karnataka after a successful stint in Mangalore. The Cinemas is redefining the film viewing experience in Shivamogga with its luxurious 4-screen multiplex, the first-of-its-kind in the city.

Also known as the gateway to Malnad, the city of Shivamogga lies on the banks of Tunga River and is a doorway to the hilly region of Western Ghats. Most Bangaloreans would instantly relate the district with the famous weekend getaway Jog Falls! The lush green city recently got its first multiplex ever! The wellknown Bharath Cinemas of Mangalore opened its 4-screen multiplex at Bearys City Centre Mall in Shivamogga. It's the first multiplex in the district of Shivamogga and the second property of Bharath Cinemas in Karnataka. The Cinemas is redefining the film viewing experience in Shivamogga with its

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• INDIA PLEXING • luxurious interiors, state-of-the-art sound and projection technology. With tremendous potential in a city like Shivamogga, the Cinemas is expected to receive a good response from the film enthusiasts of the town. Bharath Cinemas at Shivamogga is spread around 32,000 sq ft of space with a total seating capacity of 769 with 15 recliner seats for comforts at its best. This multiplex also boasts of many first's including, 7.1 digital surround sound, 2K projection systems and next generation 3D enabled servers for best cinematic experience. The Cinemas will also have wide variety of F&B, including extensive range of food options.

Global Standards of Technology & Services Bala Shetty and Anand Pai, Directors, Bharath Cinemas (Cineplex Pvt Ltd), say: "It is our continuous endeavour to enhance customer experience at Bharath Cinemas multiplex with superior technology and overall services matching up to the international standards of convenience and comfort. The Multiplex at Bearys City Centre Mall, Shivamogga would definitely be a great movie destination for both youngsters and families." Anmol Kashmiri, the fourthgeneration entrepreneur at Pen Workers, elaborates on his experience of designing the seats for Bharath Cinemas. "It's always been a pleasure to work with Mr Shetty, who's a well-wisher and a pillar of support for our company. For this particular project, we had to design a product specifically keeping in mind the vision lines and the space available on site. The challenge was to maximize comfort and at the same time minimise the space." Pen Workers has been synonymous with seating comfort for over nine long decades in India.

cinema theatres in the Southern part of India. For him it is always about getting the basics right while building a cinema. At their current sites, all the basic aspects have been researched and addressed to the minute details. The cineplexes have 4K projection, Dolby Atmos immersive audio technology, PULZ Isowave audio systems which are cutting edge technology for any modern cinema to facilitate the true immersive experience. The technically advanced Pulz Isowave system is capable of delivering stunning sound quality and realism to each and every seat in the cinema."

Anand Pai Director - Bharath Cinemas

"In Bharath Cineplexes, PULZ design and engineering team is involved from the initial stages of design to final deployment of the audio system conforming to international standard of modern immersive audio reproduction," he added.

Anirvan Ghose, Managing Director, PULZ Electronics Ltd, said: "Mr Bala Shetty is one the pioneers of modern

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• INDIA PLEXING • Bharath Group has an illustrious business history with successful forays into Construction/ Realty, Automobiles, Finance & Investment, Printing & Stationery, Retail, Lifestyle and Entertainment. TheatreWorld catches with Bala Shetty to learn more about the cinema entertainment business of the Group. You operate one of the biggest multiplxes in Mangalore. How did it all begin? We started a multiplex in Mangalore in the year 2006, which was in fact the first in the district of Mangalore and Udupi. It was initially a joint venture with a multiplex chain and later, in the year 2011, Bharath Cinemas became independent with its own brand. Bharath Cinemas is operated through our company Cineplex Pvt Ltd, which is owned by Bharath Group, which has business verticals in construction, real estate, beedi industry and automobile. Now, we are keen on expansions. What was the impetus behind establishing a multiplex in Shivamogga? As an expansion plan, we started a 4screen multiplex in Shivamogga, which has a very high potential for the cinema viewing. This is the first multiplex in Shivamogga district. What is the cinema scene like in Shivamogga? How does Bharath Cinemas position itself in this scenario? In a small city like Shivamogga, where the avenues of leisure

activities are limited, cinema is the only viable source of entertainment. With the first mover advantage, Bharath Cinemas has very good prospects in this regard. Whether it's a weekend hangout for youngsters or a place for quality family time, Bharath Cinemas fills the muchneeded gap. Besides, the average disposable income levels being high in the city, we expect it to have a positive impact on our business. I also feel the quality of film content today is much more conducive to the new technologies such as 2K projection and 7.1 digital surround sound. Equipped with these latest offerings, we are confident of delivering the best. I'm sure film enthusiasts will enjoy and appreciate the cinematic experience at Bharath Cinemas. Briefly elaborate on the features of the new multiplex, which in your opinion, will have a longstanding and positive impact on the footfalls. The multiplex is quite spacious and is spread around 32,000 sq ft of space in Beary's Mall with a total seating capacity of 769 and 15 recliner seats

for comforts at its best. The multiplex also boasts of many firsts including, 7.1 digital surround sound, 2K projection systems and next generation 3D enabled servers for best cinematic experience. We will also have wide variety of F&B choices. In an era when multiplexes are booming, how or what do you think is a differentiating factor for a multiplex brand. By selecting locations in Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities, where multiplex penetration is very low, our brand is poised to sustain the challenges with respect to the operations of the multiplex. How do you strive to replicate the success of your Mangalore multiplex in Shivamogga. With a trained team and several years of experience in managing and operating a multiplex, I'm very confident that Bharath Cinemas will do very well in operational performance. What are your future plans for Bharath Cinemas? By December 2017, we will be coming up with a 4-screen multiplex in Manipal; another 4-screen in Kundapur, Udupi is expected by April 2018 and a 3-screen multiplex in Puttur by April 2019 -- all in Karnataka. More proposals for multiplexes are under negotiations at other locations.

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• INDIA PLEXING •

Chembakassery Cinemas

A Vibrant Multiplex in Irinjalakuda

With its well-designed interiors and lively audis, Chembakassery Cinemas, the first multiplex in Irinjalakuda in Kerala, is all set to find a special place in the hearts of the enthusiastic moviegoers. Known for its sacred sites and colourful festivals, Thrissur district of Kerala received yet another vibrant landmark with the unveiling of

Chembakassery Cinemas at Irinjalakuda. With its aesthetically designed interiors and lively audis, the town's first multiplex is all set to find a special place in the hearts of the enthusiastic moviegoers. Like elsewhere in Kerala, Irinjalakuda is a town inhabited by residents who have returned and settled in their hometown after years of moving overseas or living in metro cities of India. Chembakassery Cinemas brings the state-of-the-art movie-viewing

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• INDIA PLEXING •

Theatre Consultant Abhilash Aravind on Enhancing Cinematic Experience I always concentrate on providing a good ambience and cinema experience to the audience. Sound, seats and projection are the most essential factors that I have given top priority. Ambience and lighting come next. After watching films, when people call me to express how the experience goes beyond their imagination, it makes me really happy... I had assisted and contributed my ideas for many cinema projects earlier until Chembakassery happened. Chembakassery Cinemas was my initial project as theatre consultant. It was my dream and the most challenging work as it is in my hometown, Irinjalakuda. I wanted to make this project my masterpiece so that it becomes my identity in my very hometown. experience to an audience, which is exposed to international and cosmopolitan standards. Established by Jose Chembakassery, a respectable entrepreneur and film enthusiast, the multiplex has 3 Audis. Screen 1 is equipped with 380 seats, 4K Christie projection and 52-channel Dolby Atmos. Screen 2 has 280 seats, designed with a peppy and youthful theme, Christie 2k projection and Dolby 7.1. Screen 3 has around 220 seats, 2K Christie projection and Dolby 7.1 sound. All the audis are equipped with Galalite Prism Screens. Speaking on the occasion, the representative of Galalite, Lalit Akhade said, "It's a pleasure to be associated with Chembakassery Cinemas, and helping them make the right choice of investing in Galalite's Prism 3D 2.4 for all 3 of their cinema halls. We wish their audience enjoys brighter and more vibrant visuals like never before." Theatre Consultant Abhilash Aravind is the man who planned every possible detail of the Cinemas, right

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FACT FILE Cinema Name Location Promoter

Concept & Shell Architets: Interior Architects / Interior Designer:

Chembakassery Cinemas Irinjalakuda, Thrissur District, Kerala Jose Chembakassery Architects Jose Chembakassery & Antony P.L. Jose Chembakassery /Sijin

Consultants Technical Design of Audi & Acoustical Consulting Abhilash Aravind, Redbug Cinemas/ Ramkumar Building services (HVAC, Plumbing, FFTG, Elect) Arun .P, SPACE MEP Consultants

Projectors Processors Amplifiers

Speakers Screen Seating Lighting Acoustical Materials

Booth Equipment CHRISTIE 4K CP4220 /CHRISTIE 2K CP2215 DOLBY CP850 / DOLBY CP750 QSC 4.5DPA / CROWN DSI / CROWN XLI2500 Audi Equipment JBL Series / 18 SOUND Galalite Prism 3D Silver Screen Sanjo Industries Belight In VJ Associates Others

Concession

Banaco Overseas

December 2017 - February 2018

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Jose Chembakassery Owner - Chembakassery Cinemas

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from seating to sound system and acoustics. Abhilash, who is also the CEO of City Cinemas, is quite passionate about his first full-fledged project as a theatre consultant: "I'm thankful to the Proprietor Mr Jose Chembakassery, who is a true patron of cinema. When I shared my ideas, he showed complete faith and trust in me. The best part was, he organised and managed his civil team so well. As

he is from building and construction background, he completed the civil works and construction in 10 months," added Abhilash.


• INDIA PLEXING •

Fortune Cineplex

Frontrunner in Kolhapur

Spread over an area of 1,50,000 sq ft in Ichalkaranji City in Kolhapur (Maharashtra), Fortune Plaza Mall is indeed a unique destination. With the launch of Fortune Cineplex, the 3-screen multiplex, the cinema is indeed boosting its retail business with enormous footfalls.

A handful of visionaries turning an ordinary idea of a shopping centre into a world-class retail and entertainment destination - that's Fortune Plaza Mall for you. Built on a plot of 1,50,000 sq. ft, the Mall is a located within Ichalkaranji City in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. It's a unique destination, visualised by promoters Viren Shah and Appurv Shah. The lineup of stores, attractions and services combine to form the most comprehensive and integrated retail, hospitality and entertainment complex. The mall initially started with a lower ground floor with Big Bazaar and other a few other retailers. It now houses a Gym, Salon, Gaming, Food Court, Hyper, 32 keys Hotel, Restaurant and Shopping.

destination for the city of Ichalkaranji. This four-storey retail

complex offers unique open spaces and outdoor amenities as well as a wide range of shops, cinemas, entertainment facilities, department stores and a hypermarket. The innovative design takes into consideration the moderate climate and inte-grates the landscaping within the building, harmonising indoor & outdoor environments at every level and creates a sense of

In 2013, the promoters launched a 3screen multiplex, Fortune Cineplex -the first-of-its-kind in Kolhapur.

Innovative Design & Brand Mix The design intent for Fortune Plaza Mall was to create a shopping December 2017 - February 2018

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• INDIA PLEXING • continuity that encourages a more dynamic pedestrian flow. The result is an exciting myriad of stepped greenery, waterscapes, outdoor scenery with event spaces and dining. "Since it was the first mall in Western Maharashtra we wanted it to be logistically viable for nearby areas and this was the only best option for accessibility. That is why we selected the location and the most unique aspect is it always tends to have a lively atmosphere; every weekend you will witness events and activities. Another notable aspect of the Mall is good food, leisure and an incredible brand mix," says Appurv.

Mall Culture & Cinema Entertainment With retail, F&B and Hotel coming together to redefine hospitality and entertainment, Fortune Mall has definitely made the right move in the right direction with the launch of Fortune Cine-plex. "The cinema is one of the key factors to draw the footfall. It is playing a very important role in contributing the mall towards success. By combining the Fortune Cineplex with Retail, Hotels and F&B, it will be a perfect destination for our patrons," explains Appurv. "Retail had always been fantastic for us since the beginning and the

introduction of entertain-ment business definitely gave a boost. But retail has not been performing well everywhere and on the other hand entertainment industry has shown tremendous growth in past 3-4 years. So I won't hesitate to say that multiplex has been the backbone for us. Cinema business is indeed

boosting retail with enormous footfall," he adds.

First-of-its-Kind in Kolhapur "This is the first 3-screen multiplex of the city with modern and hi-tech technologies like Dolby Atmos sound technology for the first time in western Maharashtra. We came up with pushback seating capacities along with Recliner seats. We have 3D Screens, R & S Pulz Speak-ers, 2K technology projector, with a seating capacity of 795 seats all together. We have enhanced concession menu with on-seat ordering facilities just for the convenience to the customer," he informs.

Way Ahead "We are working on some of the proposals and our target is to commence 18 to 22 screens in a year in nearly 4 to 6 locations in Maharashtra and Gujarat regions," says Appurv.

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INOX Insignia at Atria Mall

The Theatre of Dreams

INOX launches an exclusive cinema experience like never before at Atria Mall, Worli, Mumbai. Moviegoers will be delighted with the finest in luxury, state-ofthe-art sound & projection technology and unique experiences in a cinema. INOX Leisure, India's premier multiplex chain, has launched the finest celebration of luxury in the world of cinema; INOX Insignia at Atria Mall, Worli, Mumbai. Moviegoers will be delighted with features that surpass the gold standard of a cinema experience, with the finest in luxury, state-of-theart sound & projection technology and never-before experiences in a cinema. This magnum opus by INOX gives South Mumbai a new theatre after nine years. The convenient location makes INOX Insignia at Atria

the perfect movie destination for cinema-goers from South Mumbai, Bandra and Bandra Kurla Complex. Designed as a bouquet of five exclusive Insignia auditoriums, each with spacious seating for around 30 guests, Insignia at Atria Mall is truly a private island of luxury cinema. It is yet another 7-star movie viewing experience by INOX, which seamlessly melds the best of luxury and technology, paired with delightful food experiences for discerning movie-goers. The distinct features of the cinema include:

Live Food Counter Serving Gourmet Delights A first-ever feature for a cinema in the city, guests of INOX Insignia at Atria can order gourmet food that will be prepared live by expert chefs over open food counters, which is also the striking center of attraction in the lobby.

A New Level of Luxury Paired with Bespoke Interiors The Insignia experience envelops guests on arrival with uber luxurious, art deco interiors which boast of gorgeous lines, patterns and curves. The interiors set the tone for a grand movie watching experience.

Exclusive Theatres with Opulent Recliners A selective seating capacity of around 30 guests, makes the Insignia December 2017 - February 2018

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• INDIA PLEXING • theatres the perfect destination for an exclusive movie watching experience and a great place for gettogethers & parties. All auditoriums have the signature Insignia recliners, crafted in Italian stitch-art leather, micro-adjustable headrests and touch-screen panel for controls.

Personalized Ticketing and Butler-On-Call Guests of INOX Insignia at Atria enjoy personalized service, starting with exclusive reservations phone lines and a dedicated host to escort them their seats. In-theater guests enjoy dedicated service with a butler-on-call.

The Best in Technology All screens at INOX Insignia at Atria are equipped with Laser projection making it a Laserplex. The theaters have Dolby Atmos sound for guests to enjoy explosive sound coupled with 300% brighter images and vibrant 3D powered by Volfoni Systems.

Gourmet Menu Curated by Vicky Ratnani The gourmet food experience has been curated and designed by Masterchef Vicky Ratnani and makes for a perfect pairing of gastronomy with movies.

The Royal Afternoon Tea Another first-ever feature in a cinema, guests can enjoy a decadent Victorian ritual of an afternoon tea or coffee, served with scones, tarts and other delights.

A Celebration of Cinema As a perfect ode to cinema in the country, the INOX Insignia at Atria, houses a curated collection of movie memorabilia to enthrall guests with some of India film industry's untold stories. An experience that begins in the lobby itself.

Uniforms Crafted By Arjun Khanna The staff is dressed in uniforms crafted by celebrity designer Arjun Khanna. These uniforms are carefully crafted to blend in and avoid any intrusions to the guests' cinema experience. Speaking on the occasion, Aamir Khan says, "The INOX Insignia at Atria is truly an exclusive and luxurious theater. It has great sound and picture quality. The attention to detail makes the large screen experience come alive. My very best wishes to INOX for this new property." Siddharth Jain, Director, INOX Group said, "I'm elated to introduce the theatre of dreams to this city of dreams! At INOX, we have always innovated to give our guests a superlative cinema experience. The INOX Insignia at Atria is the last word in movie theatres. With the finest in luxury, the best of technology and a delightful gourmet experience, we have created a destination for the discerning cinema-goer to frequent."

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• INDIA PLEXING •

JLE Cinemas

New-Age Cinema Arrives in Guntur With its state-of-the-art screens, exquisite ambience and exceptional services, JLE Cinemas is poised to bring an unrivalled experience to the movie enthusiasts of the city.

After having led a successful stint in commercial trading business for several decades, Ramu Polisetty, Director, JLE Cinemas decided to expand his core business by venturing into cinema exhibition and other entertainment avenues.

"JLE Cinemas was born out of the desire to redefine cinema experience for our guests, who seek an unrivalled experience. We strived to achieve global gold standards for cinema viewing," says Mr Ramu talking about the recent launch of JLE Cinemas.

Anirvan Ghose, Managing Director, Pulz Electronics Ltd says: “Pulz has been involved with JLE Cinemas Guntur project right from the planning stage. Ramu wanted to build the best possible cinema-going experience. The building was built from ground up and there is no mall below – this meant no restrictions of any kind in terms of pillar etc. The Cinemas follows the golden rules of cinema design and seating angles, screen size etc. In short, it is the

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• INDIA PLEXING • perfect movie-going experience. This is something that audiences will experience for the first time.”

"The JLE Standard" JLE Cinemas in Guntur is a 6-screen cinema multiplex spread across a 40000sqft of custom interior lobby, 3D premium large screens featuring Dolby Atmos sound and 4K projection with specially designed seating, all in a curved stadium seating layout. The seating capacities in the auditoriums vary from 150 to 390 seats. The total seating capacity of the Cinemas is approximately 1450 seats. By incorporating SMPTE and THX building designs, best-in-class DCI compliant standards has been ensured with enhanced cinematic experience for the cinemagoers. Having roped in leading architects, designers and world-renowned consultants, who have provided custom interiors and elevations for guests, JLE is all set to enthral the cinema buffs of the city. The lobby comprises a lounge café, virtual reality gaming zone, and will soon host an exclusive spa. An impressive range of food menu is freshly prepared by in house chefs at the kitchens on site. That's the "JLE Standard" for you!

Bringing State-of the-Art Cinema to Guntur "To match our perfect ambience in the auditoriums and grand lobby, we have had our concession fare designed by highly experienced chefs to bring the best balance keeping our guests health in mind. We are introducing a complete vegetarian menu, all freshly made with 'No-to-Less Oil' in our Italian kitchens. There's chef on site for freshly prepared food, including breads," explains Mr Ramu. Elaborating on its niche positioning, Mr Ramu says, "Cinema is among the most loved choices of entertainment in Guntur, which is now part of the upcoming capital of the southern

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state of Andhra Pradesh. The city does have many single screen theatres. Sensing the preferences of new age cinemagoers, we have created an encompassing cinema destination for family entertainment." He further adds, "We have worked with leading architects, designers and technicians in developing our cinema which is among the very few in India built

with THX and SMPTE specifications and being totally DCI compliant. We believe that our brand identity will be the exceptional services along with the cinema experience." JLE is poised to expand very soon to other locations in South India, carrying forward the same experience quotient in cinema and entertainment.


• INDIA PLEXING •

PVR Launches

Two Properties Single Day PVR Ltd has reaffirmed its presence in style by launching 10 screens on a single day in Pune. The combined launch includes the iconic sub-brand PVR ICON at Shivajinagar and PVR Cinemas at Shankarshet Road. The largest Indian cinema-exhibition company PVR Ltd has reaffirmed its presence in style, launching 10 screens on a single day in Pune. The combined launch includes the iconic sub-brand PVR ICON at the Pavillion, Senapati Bapat Road, Shivajinagar and PVR Cinemas at the Kumar Pacific Mall, Shankarshet Road, Near Swargate and it is the first-of-itskind attempt by any cinema exhibition chain in terms of scale.

Opulent Format PVR ICON is the most opulent format in India equipped with 4K projection system and next-generation 3D

enabled screens with ultra HD picture quality and Dolby ATMOS surroundsound system in its auditoriums. It also delivers rich cinema experience through its signature ambience, which includes magnificent lobby spaces, chandeliers, classic wall art, new leather recliners and extra leg room. On the occasion, Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Joint Managing Director,

These launches see PVR reach a screen count of 160 screens across 38 properties in Maharashtra with 6 properties and 35 screens in Pune. The launches were attended by actors Siddharth Malhotra and Arjun Rampal. Actor Siddharth Malhotra did a ribbon cutting ceremony for PVR ICON and actor Arjun Rampal inaugurated PVR Cinemas at Kumar Pacific Mall. December 2017 - February 2018

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• INDIA PLEXING • PVR Ltd, said, "Our commitment towards the Pune market can be seen through our continuous endeavour to bring new and unique formats to the city. With the increasing demand of premium cinema experience in Western India, we are sincerely working towards expanding our foothold in the markets and provide the best of movie watching experience with a touch of luxury to the people here."

endeavor to provide an international shopping, culinary and entertainment experience to Puneites. With PVR ICON at the Pavillion, we believe in taking a step forward in creating a premium cinema viewing experience, which will be unique to the city of Pune. PVR ICON contributes hugely in making that experiences complete." Manish Jain, Managing Director, Kumar Properties said, "Kumar Pacific is located in the heart of old Pune. The old city is devoid of modern cinema experience. A cinema in this catchment will see large customer volume. We had an excellent

International Entertainment Experience Combined, the newly launched cinemas have a total capacity of 2,307 seats and are spread across 78,416 sqft. While the 1,366-seat 6-screens PVR ICON is located at The Pavilion and Kumar Pacific Mall is the site for the smaller 941-seat 4-screen PVR multiplex. Both the properties launch with a wide variety of gourmet indulgences and Quick Tix, PVR's digital ticketing solution to promote cashless transactions and reduce ticket-wait times. Commenting at the launch, Atul Chordia, Chairman, Panchshil

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Realty said, "In line with the Panchshil philosophy towards quality, The Pavillion Mall is our

working experience with the PVR team and we wish them a lot of success for future." With these launches, PVR's total screen count has reached to 597 screens at 130 properties in 51 cities across India.

Consultants Architects Services consultants Acoustic Consultant Civil & Interior Contractor

I.V. Partners, Gurugram Pankaj Dharkar Associates, Ahemdabad Jhaveri & Jhaveri, Mumbai Vadehra Builders, New Delhi


• INDIA PLEXING •

Miraj Cinemas

Takes a Grand Leap After strengthening its strong reach in the Northern India, Miraj Cinemas, one of the fastest growing multiplexes in the country, plans to expand its reach in Western and Southern regions. It endeavours to set up more than 100 screens pan India in the near future. After strengthening its strong reach in the Northern India, Miraj Cinemas, one of the fastest growing multiplexes in the country, plans to expand its reach in Western and Southern regions. It endeavours to set up more than 100 screens pan India and also upgrade the visual and audio performance of the existing units. The screens will be equipped with high-tech sound and display systems with comfortable aesthetic interiors, providing an ultimate entertainment environment for cinema patrons.

Making an Impact Creating a feel-good factor for movie-goers at its existing 82 screens pan India, the entertainment enterprise is focusing on various cosmopolitan cities in Maharashtra,

Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab among others. It has a vision to reach the target of 100 screens by the end of this year and expects to increase this number up to 200 screens by FY2020. "Miraj Cinemas endeavours to maintain its success and has taken every step in this direction. The company plans to operate and expand aggressively to over 100 screens pan India with increasing presence in cities of Delhi NCR, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Maharashtra," says Amit Sharma, Managing Director Miraj Entertainment Ltd. With 82 screens launched within five years across India, Miraj Cinemas is making its presence felt as a national multiplex chain.

Swift Moves Recently, the multiplex operator has

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• INDIA PLEXING • strengthened its position in populous states of Maharashtra, Punjab, Gujarat and Delhi NCR by adding 5 new multiplexes with 15 screens. Miraj has launched a two different properties in Punjab, which are equipped with latest sound system and boast plush seating capacities along with recliner seats and 3D equipped screens. While in Gujarat, Miraj Cinemas has added two new multiplexes in addition to existing 7 multiplexes. Likewise, in Delhi-NCR, Miraj Cinemas has its new 3 screen multiplexes where it has 3D equipped screens with seating capacity of 711 people with best-inclass sound systems. The new property has come up in addition to its existing 2 properties in Delhi NCR.

Widening Reach Setting its feet firm in entertainment world, Amit Sharma, Managing

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Director Miraj Entertainment Ltd laid the foundation of Miraj Cinemas in Ajmer in 2012 with an aim to provide best-in-class movie viewing experience across India. Giving 'value for money' to the movie buffs, Miraj

Cinema believes in promoting not just the Bollywood and Hollywood films but too regional cinemas. Be it out-of-the-box movie distribution strategy or the extensive promotional and marketing model, Miraj Cinemas is expanding horizons from metro cities to smaller towns/ cities to create a more widespread reach for the company.


• INDIA PLEXING •

SPI Cinemas

First Multiplex in Puducherry

Chennai's favourite multiplex chain, SPI Cinemas, opened its doors to the city of Puducherry with the launch of a swanky 5-screen multiplex, "The Cinema" at Providence Mall on Cuddalore Road. One of Chennai's favourite multiplex chains, SPI Cinemas, opened its doors to the city of Puducherry with the launch of a swanky 5-screen multiplex, "The Cinema" at Providence Mall on Cuddalore Road. The Cinema was inaugurated on 12th November 2017 by chief minister V Narayanasamy. SPI Cinemas operates 47 screens under the brand names Sathyam, Escape, Palazzo, Le Reve, The Cinema and S2 across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana and Maharashtra.

SPI Cinemas, a leading player in the Indian entertainment industry, provides an unparalleled movie viewing experience with top of the line media technology and services. The screens are equipped with 4k Projection from Barco, Harkness Clarus XC silver screens and 3D technology from Master Image with Dolby Atmos Sound System for the most immersive movie experience. "This is a special day for the city as it gets not just its first multiplex but also its very first mall and we are

extremely happy to be a part of the celebration. 'The Cinema' will be an exciting addition to the entertainment options in the charming city of Puducherry" said Swaroop Reddy, President of SPI Cinemas and Srinath K, GM, Operations, Puducherry.

Improved Choices with Technology The on ground experience is complemented by a seamless online experience at the SPI Cinemas website and mobile app. Customers can purchase tickets, snacks and even pre-book tickets for their favourite upcoming films, months in advance. Ranjit Melarkode, Head of IT at SPI Cinemas says, "We strive to create a great experience for our customers, right from the time they decide to book a ticket online till the time they exit our premises. Ticket bookings are a breeze with our easy to use website and app as well as our digital kiosks available at all our properties. Choice, convenience and enhanced service is what we empower with technology here at SPI Cinemas." Customers can also use services like Pick & Go, where they can pre-order their food at The Cinema, skip the December 2017 - February 2018

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• INDIA PLEXING • queue and directly pick up their order! SPI Cinemas also provides access to a variety of digital payments including UPI and an in-house online Fuel Wallet.

F&B - Heart of Cinema Experience Food is an integral part of the movie going experience. The Cinema takes it one step further by offering a wide range of food and beverage to the traditional "movie and popcorn". Just like Puducherry, The Cinema too has a hint of French touch: it sports a menu designed by Michelin Star Chef, Mickael Besse especially for SPI Cinemas. "When you come here, it's not just about watching a film. Our food and drinks menu is at the heart of the experience that we wish to provide to our customers. Our menu features gourmet sandwiches, cold coffee, cold pressed juices and a host of other items. However, our popcorn remains the crowd favourite. It is non-GMO and is imported from Nebraska, home

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to some of the world's best corn. It can be topped off with three different types of seasoning and real butter, depending on the tastes and likes of each one" says Bhavesh Shah, Head of Experience & New Business Initiative, SPI Cinemas.

Additional Services Additional services like pillow and duvet, portable chargers, free high speed Wi-Fi and instant feedback through WhatsApp are also available to make your experience as comfortable as possible.


• BUSINESS TREND •

Magalir Mattum

An Attempt to Strike a Chord with Women Writer and director Bramma's second venture Magalir Mattum makes an attempt to connect with women both on- and offscreen. The makers of the film came up with a novel campaign for its women audience! However, cinema owners opine that better timing and planning of the promotion would have reaped desirable results. Akin to the storylines of Hollywood and Bollywood, Tamil cinema content has been male-centric since eons. Be it the screen presence of male superstars or their frenetic fan following and hero worship, Tamil cinema has been no exception to the cinematic norm. But some filmmakers chose to take "the road not taken". The National Award winning director Bramma is one of them. After his critically acclaimed film Kuttram Kadithal (2015), writer and director Bramma unleashes his second venture, Magalir Mattum. The film features Jyothika, Saranya, Urvashi and Bhanupriya in the lead roles, while Nassar and Livingston play pivotal roles. This is Jyotika's

second movie after her come back. The film narrates the story of three female school friends who reunite after thirty-eight years, despite facing pressures from the men in their lives. Produced by Surya's 2D Entertainments, the film has music by Ghirban. Magalir Mattum released on September 15, 2017.

and aspiring women of the day can perhaps see bits of themselves in the protagonist Jyotika (essaying the role of a documentary filmmaker, who goes around filming real people). It is only during the shooting of one such film on homemakers does she realise the trials they go through.

Every Woman is a Heroine! Perhaps the most interesting aspect about the film is the way it connects with different women in different situations and phases of life. Young

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• BUSINESS TREND •

Many home-makers would relate to Komatha (Urvashi), who's balancing her kitchen duties and taking tuitions, or with Rani (Bhanupriya) who has a large family to take care of, or with Subbulakshmi (Saranya Ponvannan) who has an alcoholic husband and an ailing mother-in-law to look after. The screen camaraderie shared by the leading women is something that makes the film very special and touches a chord.

Novel Lucky Draw Silk Saree Campaign The makers of Magalir Mattum devised a novel promotional campaign to reach out to their women audience by announcing an attractive lucky draw scheme. One woman audience from every show across theatres was selected randomly and presented with a brand new silk saree. This promotional campaign was held on the first three days of the film's release (September 15-17). This innovative promotional scheme has definitely set precedence for cinema exhibition industry to explore varied possibilities to market their films. The choice of saree as a

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free gift was a smart move for more reasons than one. Firstly, the six-yard symbolizes the spirit of Indian womanhood, which was central to the storyline of the film. Secondly, unlike other merchandize such as T-shirts, which were used in film promotions in the past, saree has no size and fit issues. However, the timing of the film and the way the promotion was planned is something that many film owners are not quite happy about.

"Needed Better Planning & Timing" Say Cinema Owners TheatreWorld spoke to some cinema owners in Tamil Nadu to gauge the response to this novel campaign. Periyasamy, owner of Kalaiarangam and Saratha theatres, makes some


• BUSINESS TREND • critical observations: "The women who received the gifts were very pleased. The promotion was good but needed to be planned better. The public at large had no information and awareness of this campaign. The promotion was held for first three days and by the time more people learnt about it, the offer was closed. The timing was not great, especially because the film released in the post-GST regime, which has already reduced the footfalls by 40 per cent. Vishnu Shankar, owner of Cine Valluvar, opines: "The idea of the promotion as such was very good. And the quality of the silk sarees given as free gifts was also remarkable. But the only thing that made it a lackluster show was the timing of the release of the film. Since the film was released at the time of the quarterly exams of children, most women could not make it to watch the film, which had women as its primary target audience."

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• BUSINESS TREND •

Mukta A2 & Zee Classic

Together Revive Evergreen Movies In keeping with the spirit of love for classics, Mukta A2 Cinemas and Zee Classic have come together to invigorate nostalgia amongst the audience. Popular classic movies will be screened at New Excelsior Mukta A2 Cinemas, which brings back memories of watching matinee shows on big screens. Classic movies have captured the heart of cinema lovers time and again and have reinforced the belief that 'Old is Gold'. Such is the power of 'classics' that fans from different age group happen to be familiar with the cast and dialogues, even if they haven't watched the movie. With the advent of cutting edge technology and digitalization, anyone can watch these movies anytime, anywhere. However, the joy of watching 'Classics' on the Big Screen in heritage cinemas continues to remain unmatched.

Classic Super Hits back on Silver Screen In keeping with the spirit of love for classics, Mukta A2 Cinemas - one of India's most reputed and esteemed chain of cinemas and Zee Classic with its brand proposition 'Woh Zamaana Kare Deewana' are charging ahead to bring back these super hits from the era gone by, on to the silver screen. They have been supported in this endeavor by 1018MB especially to curate a list of much-loved classic movies for screening. The popular movies will be screened at New Excelsior Mukta A2 Cinemas, one of the heritage theatres in Mumbai. New Excelsior Mukta A2 Cinemas is one of the oldest cinemas in Mumbai. The operations of the cinema were taken over by MUKTA A2 Cinemas this February. The revamped cinema has maintained most of the elements from the yesteryears, with the

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biggest screen in India and an auditorium that can accommodate 596 people. The experience is bound to invigorate nostalgia amongst the audience and bring back memories of watching matinee shows in big single screens. So far, Mukta A2 Cinemas have screened movies like 1942: Love Story, Karz, Taal and Andaz Apna Apna, Kalicharan, Iqbal, Hum Aapke Hai Kaun the era of the classics and the highly acclaimed movies of the past, since 9th April. The campaign will continue further as Zee Classic associates with Mukta A2 Cinemas and will present films like Hero, Karma, Parinda amongst others at New Excelsior Mukta A2 Cinemas in Mumbai.

Tie-up to Enhance Cinema Experience Commenting on the association, Subhash Ghai said, "We are going to

deepen our ties with evergreen movies. This association will help the audience in experiencing the yesteryear cinema with upgraded technology. Our tie-up is aimed to enhance the audience-experience. The films will be screened on the largest screens in India at New Excelsior Mukta A2 Cinema." Speaking on the occasion, Rahul Puri, MD, Mukta Arts Ltd said, "Our belief always motivates us to bring better viewing experiences for our audience. With our partnership, we want to bring back some of the greatest movies and invite cinema lovers to India's biggest cinema screen. In our past screenings, we have observed that the audiences are showing interest. We plan to continue these special screenings regularly at New Excelsior Mukta A2 Cinema." Business Head, Zee Hindi Movies Cluster, Ruchir Tiwari said, "This association is yet another initiative by Zee Classic to present the best of Indian classic cinema to its viewers. It is a brilliant opportunity for all film enthusiasts to revisit the iconic cults of Hindi cinema blended with the best of movie watching experience."


• BUSINESS TREND •

PVR Cinemas Introduces

Enigmatic Movie Experiences India's First Fully Digital Loyalty Program PVR Cinemas, India's largest and most premium film exhibition company, marks its 20th year in business by introducing PVR Privilege, a classleading loyalty program for its ever growing patron base (currently at 75 million). The loyalty program offers members an enriched array of first class redemption opportunities and enhanced benefits. To support the

launch of PVR Privilege, PVR is offering Food & Beverage vouchers of the same value as the activation fee, so that the membership is at zero cost to new members at its 131 properties nationwide comprising of 600 screens. The event also witnessed the presence of special guest of honor, Bollywood actors Aamir Khan and Zaira Wasim. "We are pleased to debut PVR Privilege, our loyalty program, which is designed to be one of the most rewarding programs

Keeping the legacy of innovation moving, PVR Cinemas, India's largest and most premium film exhibition company, introduces a classleading loyalty program, a new sub brand and a revamped and enhanced cinematic experience for its patrons.

in cinemas. It will enable members to enjoy a remarkably simple and a fast way to free tickets or F&B offerings at PVR cinemas. By being an early mover in offering a loyalty program, PVR continues to enhance the movie going experience for PVR's valued guests," said Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Joint Managing Director, PVR Ltd The PVR Privilege program is India's first fully digital cinema loyalty program and offers the following consumer privileges and benefits: •

Reward points on each purchase of tickets or food and beverages

Automated conversion of Reward points into vouchers that can be used to pay for tickets and F&B

Personalized offers, and services at cinemas

Bonus points during special occasions

It's pertinent to share that PVR Privilege would be best experienced when used on the PVR mobile app. "PVR privilege card is a strategic

December 2017 - February 2018

TM-41


• BUSINESS TREND • move to delight, create and retain loyal customers. We are targeting a brisk growth for the PVR Privilege program over the next 2 years. The growth of the PVR Privilege data base will allow us to reach more movie goers than ever before, with greater efficiency and precision," said Kamal Gianchandani, Chief of Strategy, PVR Limited. The PVR Privilege program promises to make the movie-going experience hugely rewarding by earning points and auto-generated vouchers, all from first time visitation to subsequent transactions. Points start accruing on tickets, food and beverages, with quick redemption at both off-line and on-line channels. Exclusive privileges, combo upgrades, special days for customers, and personalized services will work across web, mobile app and in cinemas. The customer just needs to walk in with their virtual card on their phones.

Introducing a new subbrand PVR P[XL] in Kolkata Keeping the legacy of innovation moving, PVR Cinemas, the largest

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December 2017 - February 2018

film exhibitor in the country has unveiled their new sub-brand, P[XL] PVR's home grown big movie screen format known as Premium Extra Large at Mani Square, Kolkata. This is the first time ever in India; a cinema company has introduced a unique screen format for a truly enigmatic movie experience. P[XL] auditoriums are equipped with extra-large wallto-wall screen, state of the art Dolby Atmos moving sound technology and Dual 4K projection system with customized 3D glasses to bring alive every little detail of the movie, Every element in a P[XL] theatre is designed to create an impact with immersive 3D experience, crystal clear sound and unparalleled brightness and picture quality. Another notable feature about the P[XL] auditorium is the 4 different types of seating available in one audi. It comprises of recliners, loungers, sofa seats and mainstream seating with extra leg room, delivering a truly comfortable movie experience. Speaking at the launch, Ajay Bijli, Chairman & Managing Director, PVR Limited mentioned, "We are proud to announce the debut of PVR’s P[XL],

which will provide a larger than life movie watching experience to our patrons. P[XL] reiterates our promise of keeping the innovation alive in our offerings to the cinemas. It will bring a fresh change in cinema viewing and we are confident that the patrons will appreciate this brand new format. In addition, we also plan to gradually expand the sub-brand in other urban agglomerates before the festive season this year." Gautam Dutta, CEO, PVR Ltd said, "Having witnessed the stupendous growth of Indian cinema, PVR has always gone an extra mile to provide the best to its patrons. P[XL]is a result of our strong R&D over the years and mapping different logistics that we have come up with this unparalleled screen format. We are certain that the patrons here in Kolkata and later in other markets will enjoy this new format and recognize our efforts." Post Kolkata opening, PVR plans to install P[XL] screens in other urban metros of the country: Mumbai and Bengaluru, with an upgraded technology of RGB laser projection system being introduced in India for the first time. Laser projectors offer


• BUSINESS TREND •

superior image quality with a remarkable brightness level, increased contrast ratio and vivid colors for a radically improved (3D) movie experience.

Enhanced Cinema Experience in South Delhi PVR Ltd., India's largest cinema exhibition chain, has revamped the iconic Chanakya cinema in South Delhi as the 'PVR ECX' multiplex. The three-screen, "PVR ECX" will be the city's first Enhanced Cinema Experience, where the contemporary design blends with the best in cinema technology. With this launch, PVR reaches a mark of 600 screens, with a total of 131 properties in 51 cities across the country. Strategically located in Delhi's posh Chanakyapuri area, the multiplex spreads across an area of 21,673 sq. ft., with a seating capacity of 1001 seats. PVR ECX will be a part of the sparkling new two-storied 'The Chanakya' mall, DLF's Luxury Retail housed at the Yashwant Place Community Centre - a nostalgic landmark for many residents of the city. The mall will have boutiques for

some of the world's most feted brands including Mont Blanc, Tom Ford Women, Kate Spade, Juicy Couture and many more. India's first stand-alone Hermes store will also be located here. Speaking on the opening, Ajay Bijli, Chairman and Managing Director, PVR Ltd. said, "Chanakya was an iconic cinema and one that is associated with cherished memories for generations of Delhi citizens. Now in its new avatar we feel extremely proud and privileged to revive this great property as the PVR ECX -Delhi's first ECX multiplex." He further added, "With this launch, we have also reached a milestone of 600-screens bringing us closer to the 1,000 screen mark. I hope our patrons enjoy coming to this legendary cinema cast in its dramatic new role, and enjoy movies like they always do." Sriram Khattar, Managing Director, DLF Rental Business adds "Chanakya has always been synonymous with great cinematic experience and we are very excited to bring back that magic to all movie lovers-old and new. The launch of PVR ECX will showcase the best of multiplex technology within the

contemporary luxurious environs of the newest retail destination in the city -- The Chankaya and it will go a long way in reaffirming an address that has always been iconic." In its new incarnation, PVR ECX Chanakya unveils the most opulent cinema format in India with its 4K projection system, next-generation 3D-enabled screens with ultra HD picture quality and Dolby Atmos surround-sound system in all auditoriums. The new cinema also offers Quick Tix, PVR's digital ticketing solution to promote cashless transactions and reduce ticket-wait times. The cinema also offers an automated F&B kiosk Quick Bites, for the first time ever, wherein patrons can either pick up their order from the counter or get it serve on their seat. Being a PVR ECX property, there is special emphasis on ambience manifested by a deep focus on design, colours and lighting in each cinema. Designed by the Madrid-based Studio Gronda, the revamped PVR ECX has magnificent lobby spaces, custom-made chandeliers, prime marbles, dynamic auditorium lights, and unparalleled technological integrations.

December 2017 - February 2018

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• BUSINESS TREND •

BookMyShow

3.5m Movie Tickets Sold During Weekend BookMyShow witnessed its biggest

Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad Chennai

ever blockbuster Diwali weekend and

and Bangalore. Tier-II and Tier-III

sold over 3.5 million movie tickets

markets of Ahmedabad, Coimbatore,

only for Golmaal Again, Mersal and

Lucknow, Vadodara, Jaipur especially

Secret Superstar between October

saw a surge in ticket purchase for

18-22, averaging over 500 tickets a

movies.

minute!

During this festive period, viewers

Golmaal Again drove the maximum

preferred show times between 6-8 pm

ticket bookings on BookMyShow,

and on an average bought over 3

followed by Mersal and Secret

tickets per transaction, indicating

Superstar. However, actor Vijay's

that they went out in larger groups.

popularity was evident in South India as the region contributed a majority share to the overall movie ticket sales.

BookMyShow also ran its popular Blockbuster Week during this period that saw a phenomenal response

High number of transactions were

from movie buffs across the country.

recorded across regions like Punjab,

As part of it, BookMyShow offered

Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat,

exclusive discounts on pre-booking

Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh along

F&B and cashbacks through Amazon

with metro and mini-metro cities like

Pay.

"Secret Superstar has received some excellent reviews during its special screenings and it's opening a day before Golmaal Again, which should give it a head start and a tremendous opportunity to develop and amplify word of mouth which will contribute significantly to the film's success.

Ashish Saksena COO-Cinemas BookMyShow TM-44

December 2017 - February 2018

Golmaal Again is yet to fully open its advance sales but it is definitely expected to take a massive opening. It's definitely a highly awaited instalment of this zany movie series. The trailer promises that the film will be one of the biggest entertainers of the year and that laughter, fun and joy will be aplenty. The film is already enjoying an extremely high approval rating on BookMyShow with 96% people voting that they will certainly watch this Rohit Shetty directed laughter riot.


• BUSINESS TREND •

Marzdi Kalianiwala VP - Marketing and Business Intelligence, BookMyShow "Movies were a big hit during the Diwali weekend. With three blockbuster releases, Golmaal Again, Mersal and Secret Superstar, audiences were definitely spoilt for choice and all three films saw tremendous response on the box office. Secret Superstar had the advantage of a head start and BookMyShow contributed to as high as 40% of the film's opening weekend collection. We alone sold millions of tickets for Golmaal Again, the highly awaited instalment of this zany movie series. Mersal is a typical revenge drama, and we expect it to have at least a 2 week clear run owing to Vijay's tremendous fan following. Together for these three blockbusters, BookMyShow is thrilled to have sold over 3 million tickets in a single weekend."

Mersal has received positive reviews and an above average rating. It's a typical revenge drama and we expect it to have at least a 2 week clear run owing to Vijay's tremendous fan following, coupled with the Diwali holidays. The Telugu version Adirindi has been pushed to a Friday release. Even though it's advance bookings opened late, but the momentum has now quickly built and the bookings are in full swing. On BookMyShow, Mersal has already sold lakhs of tickets and we expect this run rate to continue. The big Diwali releases in Tamil Nadu usually start with a special show which is screened as early as 1 am and continues until 11 pm on the first day. While single screen cinemas organize 5 to 6 shows a day,

multiplexes like Mayajaal (India's largest multiplex with 16 screens) have been observed to screen as many as 100 shows last Diwali which were sold out on BookMyShow in a matter of hours! It is nothing short of a celebration across all Tamil Nadu theatres. This Diwali, Mersal is already getting the fans excited. Mersal is indeed one of the most awaited and high profile Tamil releases of this year. After Vivegam, the audiences have been seeking a massive entertainer and Mersal definitely seems to be meeting the expectations. The film will be released across most of the cinemas in Tamil Nadu and the screen count is expected to be over 500 in the Tamil Nadu region alone. It is also expected to be released in more than 3000 screens across Andhra Pradesh,

Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and overseas in the US, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. The Telugu version of the film Adirindi has also got the fans equally excited. Even though most of the movie ticket bookings opened late last evening, with some major cinema chains still to decide on its release in their multiplexes, lakhs of tickets have already been sold on BookMyShow. Secret Superstar and Mersal also emerged as favourites on Jukebox, the audio entertainment service by BookMyShow. While almost half of the downloads for Mersal's music on Jukebox happened from Chennai and Bengaluru, Secret Superstar's music was popular across geographies including Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata.”

December 2017 - February 2018

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