Showing posts with label Rampur. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rampur. Show all posts
PVR INOX bets on smaller multiplexes as single-screens decline
11:02 PM
Co targets 1,000 new screens in 5 years, identities 300 smaller cities to step up play
Javed Farooqui (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; August 8, 2026)
The structural decline of India's single-screen cinemas is creating a fresh growth opportunity for multiplex operators, with PVR INOX betting on smaller, affordable multiplexes to expand into underserved markets, Managing Director Ajay Bijli said.
The country's largest multiplex operator plans to add at least 1,000 screens over the next five years, focusing on franchise-owned, company-operated (FOCO) and other asset-light models, with developers funding a significant share of project costs.
The opportunity is significant. About 16,350 of India's 19,000 pin codes still have no cinema screens, leaving vast parts of the country underserved despite rising consumption, according to EY's The Story of Film Exhibition in India.
India had 10,033 cinema screens at the end of 2025, only marginally more than six years earlier. Meanwhile, screen density declined from 7.6 screens per million people in 2018 to 6.8 in 2024, while nearly 1,000 single-screen theatres shut during the period, underscoring the structural challenges facing the traditional exhibition model.
"I started with a single screen myself, and the reason I moved into multiplexes was because it became very difficult to fill a 1,093-seat cinema throughout the year. I used to struggle to achieve optimum occupancy across all 52 weeks because you don't get 52 films that can fill the cinema to the threshold where you make money," Bijli told ET.
Unlike a traditional single-screen theatre that depends on a single film to drive admissions, a three- or four-screen multiplex can programme multiple films simultaneously, improving utilization while giving audiences greater choice, he said.
The economics are increasingly prompting single-screen owners to convert their properties into multiplexes. PVR INOX is itself converting Mymoon, a prominent single-screen cinema in Kochi, into a five-screen multiplex in partnership with Lulu Group.
"One compelling reason many single-screen theatres are converting into multiplexes is that the business becomes much more viable with four or five screens. Instead of showing just one film, we can screen five, six, seven or even 10 movies a day. Consumers benefit because they get a wider choice under one roof, while producers benefit as more films can be showcased simultaneously," he said.
The company has identified around 300 smaller cities, including Jabalpur, Muzaffarpur, Barrackpore and Rampur, for its affordable multiplex format. Ticket prices will be comparable to, or only marginally higher than, balcony tickets at single-screen theatres.
"Ticket pricing will be designed keeping in mind the paying capacity of the local catchment. For comparable formats and locations, ticket prices will generally be 30-35% lower than similar PVR INOX cinemas operating today," Bijli said. PVR INOX's average ticket price stood at Rs 273 in the June quarter.
The expansion marks the next phase of PVR INOX's growth strategy as it looks beyond major urban markets.
Under the franchise-owned, company-operated (FOCO) model, partners invest in developing the cinema while PVR INOX manages operations. In its asset-light model, developers or landlords contribute between 30% and 80% of project costs, allowing the company to accelerate expansion while conserving capital.
PVR INOX currently operates 1,779 screens and expects to spend Rs 300-350 crore this financial year on around 100 new screens, as well as renovating and preimmunizing its existing circuit. Around 60-70% of the new additions will come under the asset-light model. As the share of such projects rises, the company expects the same level of capital expenditure to support a larger number of screen additions.
Bijli believes India has the potential to support around 25,000 cinema screens over time but said achieving that would require greater policy support, including rationalizing GST on cinema tickets, lowering local entertainment levies where applicable, and reducing electricity and property taxes.
Alongside expanding its footprint, PVR INOX will continue investing in premium formats such as IMAX, PXL, 4DX, ICE, ScreenX, Director's Cut, INSIGNIA and LUXE, while expanding alternative content, including live sports screenings and concerts.
I was nervous when I got back on stage after two years-Pankaj Udhas
8:26 AM
Soumya Vajpayee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 17, 2022)
“I am like a fish without water when I am not on stage. I have been a performing artiste all my life and the pandemic phase was the toughest,” says veteran ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas, who has been performing regularly in India and abroad ever since things opened up a few months ago.
Ask how performing live feels like after such a long gap and the Padma Shri recipient says, “Before the pandemic, there used to be a lot of confidence in me before any concert. But the lockdown phase was tough for all, even psychologically. Though I did my riyaaz regularly and tried to keep up and not get rusty, there was a lack of exposure to the stage and audience. So, when I got back on stage after two years with a concert in Rampur (Uttar Pradesh), I was really nervous. But when I went up on stage and saw 6,000 people cheering for me, I had tears in my eyes. It was a really emotional moment, as I was deprived of the stage for so long.”
Though the singer has been performing frequently and has a string of concerts lined up, one thing he doesn’t compromise on is his safety. “When I started performing live again, I’d be so paranoid. I feared contracting the virus even by touching things at concerts,” he says, adding, “Safety really matters to me. I make sure that nobody comes close to me without wearing a mask.”
So, has he observed any change in the audience’s conduct? “They have become more enthusiastic compared to pre-pandemic days. They value your performance much more than before,” says Udhas, who turns 71 today. Sharing how he will spend his birthday, he says, “Coronavirus is still around and people are still suffering. So, I am not really in a mood to celebrate. I’ll have a low-key birthday with my family.”
Offensive comments have been directed at me repeatedly, right from 2009-Jaya Prada
7:53 AM
Ismat Tahseen (BOMBAY TIMES; May 23, 2019)
Jaya Prada is speaking to us right after a temple visit, which is exactly how she wanted her day to begin, she tells us. “Before I leave for any conferences, I like to go to the temple to pray,” says the actress-turned-politician. The way the exit polls are shaping up, it shows a clear win for her party, the BJP. “Exit polls suggest that people have immensely supported Modi ji. In UP, particularly Rampur, they are indicating a positive report,” she says.
In a chat, Jaya talks about the elections, being thankful for the support from Amar Singh and how her acting career has been an advantage for her political career. Excerpts:
‘AMAR SINGHJI CAME TO RAMPUR FROM THE ICU TO SUPPORT ME’
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for her, as she joined the BJP only recently, and jumped headlong into the fray — with canvassing, election-related work, meetings, etc. “Mere liye bahut kam time mila. I just got 17 days for campaigning. I joined the party on April 28 and on May 3, I went for the nomination. I joined the party in the afternoon and within two hours, they announced my candidature from Rampur,” she informs.
That must have been a huge challenge? “Yes, it was (laughs). But maybe, it is because I have worked for 10 years and provided my services to the people of Rampur, that I didn’t have to be introduced to them. However, I was new to the party and it was the first time that I was in a national party. In the 17 days that I got, I managed to do some rigorous campaign work, but due to lack of time, there were certain places I could not visit. I had complete support from the party, especially Amar Singh ji. Even though he was in the ICU, he came directly to Rampur to support me. I am also thankful to Modi ji. If I win, it will be due to the Modi wave.” Does she think it will be a landslide victory? “Yes, for Modiji, it will be a landslide victory,” she states.
‘PEOPLE KNOW ME FROM MY FILMS, AND THAT HELPED ME IN POLITICS’
From being a well-known actress in Bollywood and the south, was it a huge change for her to join politics? “Yes, I belong to a glamorous world, but I have to say, it is a blessing to be able to go out and meet needy people,” she replies.
She also credits Bollywood for helping her get this far. “I am from the south, but people know me from my films, and that helped me adjust to the politics in the north,” she says.
‘OFFENSIVE COMMENTS HAVE BEEN DIRECTED AT ME REPEATEDLY, RIGHT FROM 2009’
Jaya Prada has also faced a barrage of sexist and offensive comments from rival Azam Khan. When we ask how she manages to move past it, she says, “Earlier, I used to be very sensitive about these things, but I think my experience made me strong. Having said that, yes, it is hurtful, because at the end of the day, I am a lady first and an MP later. These comments have been directed at me repeatedly, right from 2009. It’s 2019 now and I am still facing such remarks.”
She adds, “It’s time men changed their mentality. Why should we celebrate Women’s Day and 33% reservation for women? We engage in debates on this subject, but the reality is very different. You either need heritage of politics or strong support from a political family, which I don’t have. So, it is a struggle for a woman to establish herself.”
‘NOW, EVERYONE HAS TO WORK FOR THEIR CONSTITUENCIES, OTHERWISE, PEOPLE WILL NOT SPARE THEM’
Jaya is very clear about her reasons to be on the political turf. “Mujhe koi swarth nahi hai,” she says. “I entered politics to help NTR (Telugu matinee idol-turned-politician NT Rama Rao) and it was then that my career shifted towards politics. Also, when I was with NTR or Chandrababu (Naidu), I never expected to be a minister or be given a post. But, in public life, once people make a name for themselves, they easily forget others, particularly those from the film fraternity. Abhi hum party mein rehte hain aur hum party ke liye prachaar karte hain. Chandrababu or NTR had no time to think about a worker who did so much… jo jhanda leke chalta hai. Unko yaad karna unke liye bahut mushkil kaam hota hai shayad,” she says.
For someone who is well-versed with politics, what would she call her greatest learning? “Earlier, people would get elected and then not do anything for their constituencies. But these days, everyone has to work for their constituencies, otherwise, people will not spare them,” she says.
‘I HAVE TO WIN THE ELECTION TO PROVE A POINT’
With several hits to her credit in Bollywood and the south film industry, does she miss the world of acting? “Actually, I never really left films,” says Jaya, “Last year, six of my films released in the south and I have two projects in the pipeline. I was also doing the TV show, Perfect Pati.” If she’s elected, does she plan to take a break from acting? “Right now, my only focus is to win the election. I have to win the election to prove a point.”
‘FILM FRATERNITY HAS A POWERFUL REACH TO THE COMMON PEOPLE’
For someone who hails from the film fraternity, is she happy that Bollywood has become politically vocal? “Definitely. But this is not a recent development. It’s been happening from the time of Jayalalithaa ji and NTR, all of them knew what the people wanted. Artistes from the film fraternity have a powerful reach to the common people, whose support we need,” she explains.
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