Latest news with #CinépolisIndia
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
IMAX format attracts cinema goers as demand for premium experiences rises
Cinema exhibitors like PVR INOX and Cinépolis India have observed a steady rise in audience demand for large-format premium screenings such as IMAX (Image MAXimum), with many shows filling nearly all the seats in theatres. This comes at a time when viewers have access to a wide range of digital content at home but are increasingly drawn to immersive in-theatre experiences. Building on this momentum, the number of films being digitally remastered for release in India has increased by about 15 to 20 per cent in the January-June period compared to the same period last year, according to Cinépolis India. For the first six months of this year, PVR INOX noted that 23 films were released in IMAX, compared to 19 films during the same period last year. IMAX is a motion picture format that consists of high-resolution cameras, film format, projectors, and theatres. In India, however, most films are digitally remastered for release in IMAX format rather than being shot or filmed specifically for IMAX. 'We're witnessing a consistent surge in audience demand for IMAX screenings, particularly for high-octane, spectacle-driven films. Metro cities such as Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune continue to lead the demand curve,' said Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Executive Director of PVR INOX, which is the largest IMAX exhibitor in India with 25 operational IMAX auditoriums. 'These cities host some of our most successful IMAX properties, with near-full occupancy for major releases. The appetite for premium cinematic experiences is steadily growing, and IMAX remains at the forefront of that consumer preference.' Devang Sampat, Managing Director of Cinépolis India, said that while Hollywood releases approximately 30 to 35 IMAX titles annually, Indian IMAX releases typically range between 6 to 10 titles per year. However, he added that there has been significant growth in audience engagement for Indian IMAX content. Cities like Pune, Kochi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai are driving the demand in this segment for Cinépolis India, which operates five IMAX screens. 'We anticipate that upcoming releases such as War 2 will generate substantial demand for IMAX viewing experiences,' Sampat said. Some Bollywood films in IMAX format this year include Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava, Salman Khan's Sikandar, The Diplomat starring John Abraham, and Akshay Kumar's Sky Force. Yash Raj Films' spy universe movie starring Hrithik Roshan, War 2, will also be available in IMAX format. Additionally, major Hollywood releases such as Tom Cruise's Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, the fantasy adventure How to Train Your Dragon, James Gunn-directed Superman, and the F1 movie starring Brad Pitt have driven the demand for IMAX format. 'This trend (growth in the number of films being digitally remastered for IMAX) reflects the industry's growing recognition of the IMAX format's value proposition and the increasing availability of post-production enhancement technologies,' Sampat added. Vipul Shah, Chairman and Managing Director of Sunshine Pictures, said that the wider availability of IMAX screens, coupled with a premium viewing experience, justifies higher ticket pricing—something audiences are willing to pay for when the cinematic scale warrants it. Bijli corroborates Shah's statement, noting that the IMAX release of a movie can contribute up to 25 per cent of the film's overall box office revenue. Movie trade analyst Girish Wankhede said that the ticket range for IMAX releases is between ₹1,200 and ₹1,400. 'From a production standpoint, unless a film is shot using IMAX cameras, the cost of converting a regular film to IMAX is not prohibitively high. Currently, India has very limited access to IMAX cameras…perhaps just one or two, which makes shooting natively in the format a rarity. But as the number of IMAX screens continues to grow and filmmakers look for ways to attract audiences back to theatres, we're likely to see more films being shot specifically for IMAX in the future,' Shah explained. For PVR INOX, IMAX continues to be an integral part of its premium screen strategy. Bijli added that as part of its growth in FY26, the company plans to expand its IMAX footprint with several additional screens across select high-demand markets. Meanwhile, Sampat said that the Indian arm of the Mexico-based international cinema exhibitor is in active discussions with IMAX Corporation to expand its partnership, with growth plans for both the Indian market and its global operations for FY26. Miraj Cinemas, which added one IMAX screen in Wadala last year, has signed agreements for two more IMAX screens with IMAX Corporation. Wankhede also anticipates that the total number of films available for IMAX screens will be higher than last year. He noted that large production houses are now actively working to have their films (especially those with huge star casts) digitally remastered for IMAX.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Popularity of re-releases shows that audiences want old-school films'
With its recent re-release, Umrao Jaan (1981) once again cast its spell – bringing moviegoers across generations to theatres Over the last two years, India's cinema business seems to have found a new hit formula – re-releases. At a time when most new films are struggling to fill theatres, re-releases are managing to pull audiences. What started as a series of retrospective of icons like Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Amitabh Bachchan, has turned into a proper business model. Over the past two years, films from almost every decade have made a big-screen comeback – from Pyaasa and Shree 420 (as part of the Raj Kapoor retrospective) of the 50s and Umrao Jaan (1981) to 90s and early 2000s hits like Karan Arjun, Andaz Apna Apna, Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein and Tum Bin . Even fairly recent titles like Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013), Laila Majnu (2018) and Sanam Teri Kasam (2016) have been re-released in theatres. According to exhibitors, while nostalgia drives the trend among older viewers, Gen Z is finding joy in unearthing cinematic gems from the past. 'Films like Tumbbad, which didn't get their due when they were initially released, became huge hits' Exhibitor Aamer Bijli says that Gen Z is discovering old songs and film scenes through reels, and they are now showing up to watch these films in cinemas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo 'People are now yearning for content that they might have missed earlier – either because they didn't catch it on the big screen, or because they loved it so much, they want to relive that experience,' he says, adding, 'A lot of films were re-released even before 2023, but recently, it's more about the right timing for re-releases. Films like Tumbbad, Laila Majnu and Sanam Teri Kasam didn't get their due when they were initially released. Tumbbad developed a cult following since its release, and the moment it re-released, those fans returned to cinemas – it's really indicative of a consumer trend. (When Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani re-released) I went to a cinema where people were dancing to Dilliwaali Girlfriend .' 'NOT JUST GEN Z, BUT MILLENNIALS AND THE OLDER GENERATIONS ARE SHOWING UP TOO' Exhibitors, filmmakers and film business insiders say that re-releases performing well is part of a bigger trend that audiences are craving old-school Hindi films – romantic dramas, masala entertainers, classic comedies. And they're coming to theatres to experience them again. Devang Sampat, Managing Director, Cinépolis India, says, 'Attendance for all major rereleases has seen an upward swing for a while now. Fans often dress up to attend these screenings. When we brought back Shah Rukh Khan's Baazigar , we saw fans queuing up like it was the '90s all over again. We already have a calendar full of re-releases.' He adds, 'And it's not just Gen Z, but millennials are showing up too. And then there's the older generation, who love the chance to remember when they first saw these films on the big screen.' Cult classics on streaming platforms set the stage for big-screen comebacks During the pandemic and in the years that followed, Bollywood's retro titles became some of the mostwatched content on streaming platforms. Cult classics, once hard to access, were available at the click of a button. All major streaming services noticed a clear trend – library titles from the '90s and 2000s, across both Bollywood and Hollywood, were pulling in massive viewership. 'Fans in India love the ability to watch and rewatch some of their favourite films – from evergreen hits like Dil Chahta Hai and Sivaji : The Boss to global blockbusters like Spider-Man: No Way Home, ' a Netflix spokesperson had told us. Last year, when Gangs of Wasseypur was re-released in cinemas, Anurag Kashyap said at the time, 'I'm incredibly grateful for the re-release and the back-to-back screening. The film never really got that kind of exposure outside film festivals, and now a whole generation that first discovered it on OTT (Jio Hotstar) can finally watch it on the big screen.' How cinemas decide which films should be re-released in cinemas ● Aamer Bijli, Lead Specialist – Innovation, Film Marketing & Digital Programming, PVR INOX Ltd, says, 'Using a lot of data, we decide which films would do well when re-released in cinemas, and in which locations. We look at genres, directors, even cast members who have performed well in the past. It's all strategic. We try to identify where these audience pockets exist. For instance, when we re-released Suzume (a Japanese animated film), we did a nationwide poll and found out that the most loyal fanbase was in Ahmedabad. ' ● Across cinemas, there are now dedicated teams curating re-releases for occasions such as Women's Day, Valentine's Day, Independence Week, etc. 'For many moviegoers, re-releases are about reliving the excitement of movie outings in the '90s' Those who have been in the cinema business for three to four decades say that when Raja Hindustani (1996) was released, every time the song Pardesi Pardesi Jana Nahi played, people would throw coins in the air. Similarly, during Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge 's screening people would shower coins at Shah Rukh's scenes. Sanjay Ghai, who's been in the cinema business for four decades, shares, 'Back then, there were no recliners or cushioned seats. Most cinemas had hard wooden chairs. And yet, people would wait for hours, sometimes buying tickets in black, just to catch a Shah Rukh or an Aamir film on the big screen. So, when those same films get re-released today, why wouldn't the same people go to their nearest multiplex? For a lot of them, it's about the memories of first dates, college hangouts, and the excitement of movie outings in the '90s. ' 'Films featuring music, which resonate with the younger audience have seen stronger traction' Ashish Saksena, COO-Cinemas, BookMyShow, says, 'Films featuring music which resonate with the younger audience have seen stronger traction – indicating that the trend is selective and success often hinges on cultural recall and youth connect, especially through popular soundtracks. The buzz created on social media only amplifies this effect.'
