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Tag: Kamal Gianchandani.

  • Screen time turns scream time as PVR Inox rolls out Kerala Comedy Fest

    Screen time turns scream time as PVR Inox rolls out Kerala Comedy Fest

    MUMBAI: Why should the big screen have all the fun? This June, Kerala’s moviegoers can expect less drama and more laughter as PVR Inox transforms its plush cinemas into live comedy hotspots. India’s largest multiplex chain, PVR Inox, is hitting refresh on the moviegoing experience with the launch of the Comedy Fest in Kerala, a three-weekend-long celebration of stand-up comedy in partnership with Comedy Lounge, the state’s foremost comedy collective. From rising local stars to crowd-favourite comics, the fest promises a chuckle-fuelled line-up all served in the comfort of air-conditioned auditoriums with top-tier sound and lighting.

    The festival kicks off on 14 June at PVR Lulu Mall, Kochi, with ‘Straight Outta Kochi’, Comedy Lounge’s signature showcase featuring top Kochi-based comics. The bilingual act (English & Malayalam) is designed to tickle funny bones across Kerala.

    Next up, on 21 June, is the ‘Vishnu Pai Crowd Work Show’ at Inox Sobha City Mall, Thrissur. Known for his razor-sharp wit and pan-India performances, Vishnu Pai Kerala’s top-rated English-language comic brings his improv-style set that thrives on audience interaction.

    The month wraps up with the ever-popular Kochi Open Mics on 28 June, back at PVR Lulu Mall, bringing a blend of English, Malayalam, and Hindi humour from emerging comics, keeping things fresh, unscripted, and full of surprises.

    But this isn’t just a one-off laugh riot. It’s part of PVR Inox’s broader strategy to diversify cinema spaces into multi-format cultural hubs. From indie film screenings to live theatre and now stand-up comedy, the brand is reimagining its venues as stages for local stories and spontaneous joy.

    “This isn’t just about bringing comics into theatres,” said PVR Inox Ltd chief business planning & strategy Kamal Gianchandani. “It’s about expanding the definition of entertainment and connecting with audiences in a format that’s local, lively and unmissably real.”

    As Kerala’s stand-up scene gains momentum, the Comedy Fest offers comics a high-quality platform and audiences a fresh reason to head back to the theatre this time, not for the plot twists, but for the punchlines.
     

  • Blockbuster Tuesdays steal the show as India flocks to Rs 99 cinema frenzy nationwide

    Blockbuster Tuesdays steal the show as India flocks to Rs 99 cinema frenzy nationwide

    MUMBAI: Tuesday just got a turbocharged rebrand. Across India, theatres are no longer half-empty mid-week refuges for retirees or bored interns. Thanks to Cinema Day Tuesdays and Blockbuster Tuesdays—a nationwide Rs 99 ticket initiative—cinemas are now bursting at the seams, packing in popcorn-chomping fans like it’s opening night every week.

    With over 4000 screens participating, including giants like PVR Inox, Miraj Cinemas, Cinépolis India and Mukta A2 Cinemas, the scheme has sent admissions through the roof. Footfalls in many regions are now rivalling—and in some cases beating—weekend crowds.

    That’s right.

    Tuesday is the new Sunday.

    “Blockbuster Tuesdays is a result of a lot of hard work and collaboration among our industry partners… Cinemas are an indispensable part of our culture,” said Multiplex Association of India (MAI) president Kamal Gianchandani, adding that it’s more than just cheap tickets—it’s a love letter to shared storytelling.

    Miraj Cinemas is reporting footfalls equal to its Sunday crowds across metros and tier two cities. Miraj Entertainment Ltd MD Amit Sharma said, “Tuesdays are turning into a celebration for movie lovers. It’s not just about pricing—it’s about reigniting the emotional connect with cinema.”

    This Tuesday (22 April) alone offers a spicy mix of cinema fare. Kesari Chapter 2 with Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan, thriller flick Sinners starring Michael B. Jordan, and Paddington in Peru for families promise to cater to every mood. Not to mention Jaat, still smashing box office charts in its second week.

    At PVR Inox, the movement is doing more than just selling tickets. “The surge in F&B spends and overall engagement reflects that people aren’t just coming for the movie—they’re coming for the full theatrical experience,” said PVR Inox CEO – revenue & operations Gautam Dutta. “It’s not a trend. It’s a cultural revival.”

    For Cinépolis India, it’s about trust, habit, and nostalgia. MD Devang Sampat remarked, “When a student spends Rs 99 and walks out smiling, it becomes more than a transaction; it is an emotional reconnection.”

    Still, not all is sunshine and samosas.

    Rahul Puri of Mukta Arts highlighted the structural issues around distribution and pricing. “The Rs 99 revolution is positive but also proves value has to be in sync with expectations—and that isn’t just about ticket prices.”

    So, as theatres gear up for another adrenaline-charged Tuesday, one thing is clear: the big screen isn’t going anywhere. And this time, it’s got the audience to prove it.

  • Big screen, big truths as Acharya Prashant comes to PVR Aura Bhopal

    Big screen, big truths as Acharya Prashant comes to PVR Aura Bhopal

    MUMBAI: Popcorn, pause, and Prashant, Bhopal’s silver screen is set to swap blockbusters for Brahm Gyaan. PVR Inox Limited, India’s largest cinema chain, has teamed up with the PrashantAdvait Foundation to present a live spiritual session with none other than Acharya Prashant, on 20 April 2025 at PVR Aura Mall, Bhopal.

    Curated as part of PVR Inox’s Alternate Content in Cinemas initiative, the one-of-a-kind event invites audiences into an intellectually charged dialogue with one of the most followed spiritual thinkers of our time inside the immersive atmosphere of a cinema hall.

    Known for bringing ancient wisdom into modern lives, Acharya Prashant is an IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad alumnus turned spiritual reformer. With a staggering 55 million plus YouTube subscribers, 3.5 billion plus views, and 160 plus published books, he has reshaped how the digital generation discovers clarity, consciousness and calm.

    PVR Inox Limited Chief Business Planning & Strategy Kamal Gianchandani said “With Acharya Prashant, we’re not just hosting a session, we’re creating a space for stillness, insight, and inner transformation. Our cinemas have always been places where stories come alive, and with Alternate Content, we’re now bringing voices that awaken something deeper within. This is cinema reimagined as a catalyst for reflection.”

    The event is expected to draw everyone from Gen Z seekers to seasoned meditators, offering a much-needed escape from the chaos of daily life. Think of it as an evening of mental detox meets cinematic magic.

    The much-awaited event is set to take place at PVR Aura Mall, Bhopal, on 20 April 2025, during the evening session. Attendees are encouraged to check the official website pvrcinemas.com for exact show timings. Bookings are now open and can be made via the PVR Inox app or website, so be sure to grab your seats early!  

    Seats are limited, but the insights may just be limitless. Whether you’re a spiritual novice or a seasoned seeker, this might just be your cue to switch off your phone and switch on within.

  • PVR Inox launches Screenit; brings power of film curation in movie goers’ hands

    PVR Inox launches Screenit; brings power of film curation in movie goers’ hands

    MUMBAI: Theatrical chain PVR Inox has introduced Screenit, an innovative platform exclusive to  its  app that transforms how audiences enjoy films. With it, movie lovers can create or join personalised screenings at their chosen cinemas, enhancing the cinema experience through customisation.

    Building on the success of classic film re-releases, Screenit  offers over 500 titles, allowing audiences to curate screenings of their favorite films across more than 120 locations nationwide. Overall, PVR operates 1,739 screens across 353 properties in 111 cities in India and Sri Lanka

    “Screenit is more than just a platform—it’s a transformative step toward redefining the cinematic experience,” said  PVR Inox  Luxury Collection and Innovation CEO Renaud Palliere. “It empowers audiences to choose what, when, and where to watch, all while offering exciting rewards and fostering community connections.”

    “Screenit celebrates nostalgia while offering a modern, flexible way to enjoy films,” said PVR Inox Chief Business Planning & Strategy Kamal Gianchandani.“It’s an innovation that brings timeless cinema back to life on your terms.”

    The process is simple: users can explore the Screenit platform to find or create shows by selecting preferred movies, times, and locations. A minimum of two tickets is required to create a screening, enabling users to invite friends or join existing shows.

    Beyond customisation, Screenit incorporates a rewards system. Users can share unique promotional links to invite others to join their screenings. For each ticket booked through these links, users earn exciting incentives, supporting a communal movie-going experience.

    Additionally, the ‘promote & earn’ feature allows users to create promotional links for current movies, earning two per cent  of the ticket sales as cash incentives for shares made via social media or messaging platforms.

  • The matter of high ticket & F&B pricing in cinema halls

    The matter of high ticket & F&B pricing in cinema halls

    MUMBAI: Film maker Karan Johar’s plaint that high ticket and F&B prices are what are keeping cinema-goers away from theatres has been seriously objected to by the Multiplex Association of India (MAI) which has issued a clarification. 

    It may be recalled that Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar and other directors had sat down and done a free-wheeling conversation with the debut podcast of The Hollywood Reporter India editor Anupama Chopra, the video of which was released earlier this week. During the course of the chit-chat, Johar had mentioned that a single visit to the cinema would set back a family by about Rs 10,000; hence the visits have fallen, films are failing  and the box office is getting affected. 

    MAI president Kamal Gianchandani has issued a note in which he has stated that the issue of ticket pricing and F&B needs to be viewed in a “more balanced manner.”

    According to Gianchandani, the average ticket price (ATP) in 2023 across all theatres in India was Rs 130 per ticket. “The country’s largest cinema chain, PVRInox, reported an ATP of Rs 258 for the fiscal year 2023-24. Additionally, the Average spend per head (SPH) on F&B at PVRIox during this period stood at Rs 132. This brings the total average expenditure for a family of four to Rs 1,560 —significantly different from the Rs 10,000 figure carried in the media reports,” he explained.

    Gianchandani further pointed out that cinema pricing is dynamic and flexible and fluctuates based on factors like location, day of the week, seat type, film format, and cinema format. “Exhibitors utilise sophisticated digital tools to stimulate audience demand and optimize pricing, frequently offering discounts and promotions that make cinema outings more affordable, not just during off-peak times but even on popular days. Many of these initiatives can lower the overall cost of a cinema visit by more than 50 per cent providing families and moviegoers with affordable options. All pricing structures are clearly listed both at cinemas and online, ensuring transparency and choice for customers,” he elucidated.

    “More than anything else, it’s a well-recognised fact that the demand for a film is largely driven by its content and appeal, rather than by pricing alone. Any evaluation of pricing in the cinema industry must account for the broader economics of the movie business, which involves multiple stakeholders, including producers, distributors, and exhibitors. Each of these players contributes to the final cost to consumers, with prices ultimately shaped by the market forces of demand and supply. If lowering prices could optimize revenue for everyone involved, cinema operators would naturally make those adjustments without needing to be told. “

    “Additionally, unavoidable factors such as inflation play a role, and India has historically experienced high inflation rates. Nevertheless, cinema exhibitors continuously experiment with pricing models, collecting customer feedback and leveraging data analytics to refine their strategies,” he spelt out. “This ensures that the current pricing is both competitive and fair in the context of today’s market.” 

    Gianchandani concluded the note whilst saying: “At the heart of it all, our industry remains committed to delivering a diverse, high-quality, and accessible entertainment experience for all moviegoers. We believe it’s crucial to consider the full picture before drawing conclusions about pricing, as it’s a complex issue involving many moving parts. The goal remains the same: to provide audiences with the best possible experience at a fair value.”

  • PVR and Nodwin Gaming bring e-sports to cinemas

    PVR and Nodwin Gaming bring e-sports to cinemas

    Mumbai: PVR Ltd and e-sports company Nodwin Gaming on Monday announced their partnership to launch India’s first in-cinema e-sports live tournament together. The pilot will commence with the popular game “Battlegrounds Mobile India” (BGMI) and going forward it will include games from different genres, said the statement.

    This initiative is expected to fast-track e-sports entertainment’s growth trajectory in India by combining the appeal of e-sports gaming with the magic of big-screen experience. The quarter-final, semi-final, and finals of the cups, in each participating city, will be broadcasted in select PVR cinemas, along with live streams on various digital platforms, including Nodwin Facebook page and YouTube page and the PVR mobile app.

    “Nodwin Gaming has always emphasised on the importance of reinforcing grassroots development that can be a strong and reliable foundation for esports, and this property is a step in that direction,” said Nodwin Gaming MD & co-founder Akshat Rathee. “City-level penetration of professional esports leads to solid exposure for the grassroots ecosystem and as seen in the past, the more exposed the grassroots is, the better it gets at the higher tiers. This, in turn, paves the way for the collective growth of all tiers of professional players.”

    Commenting on the partnership he added, “Our association with PVR cinemas opens a corridor towards mainstreaming esports and placing it right in the middle of the entertainment industry. E-sports as an upcoming medium of interactive entertainment has had its fair share of visibility in the jam-packed arenas but it’s about time that we bring action to the silver screen. Nodwin, along with building grassroots, will also give its audience a premium watching experience with this partnership.”

    According to a statement, the partnership introduces larger-than-life experiences for all e-sports fans across the country and will be able to participate in online e-sports cups and in-cinema tournaments with separate prize pools for each city.

    “At PVR, we strive to continually evolve as an entertainment destination, offering our customers the opportunity to have an entertaining escape into more than just big films,” stated PVR Ltd joint managing director Sanjeev Kumar Bijli. “Our immersive environment lends itself particularly well to the gaming community, putting players in the universes in which they are competing.”

    “Our purpose at PVR is to gather, grow and entertain communities. With us becoming a part of the Indian e-sports eco-system, we have the opportunity to serve our purpose by giving PVR communities another entertaining way to gather on our esports platform. Nodwin team has a relentless passion for gaming, we are delighted to be partnering with them on this initiative,” noted PVR Ltd chief of strategy Kamal Gianchandani.

  • Vkaao & Shemaroo to re-release cult classic ‘Namak Halaal’ in theatres

    MUMBAI: Vkaao, India’s first ever ‘theatre-on-demand’ service associates with Shemaroo ShowTime – a sub-brand of Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd that deals in screening of iconic block buster films on big screens.

    The duo is re-releasing the cult classic film ‘Namak Halaal’ to mark the completion of ‘35 years’ of its release. The movie is restored by Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd to offer the audience enhanced watching experience. Viewers across the country can book a private screening of the movie through Vkaao , at a theatre of their choice and convenient time. Alternatively, one can also book a ticket at the ticket counter of the theatre and be part of special screening of the movie on 21 May.

    PVR Pictures CEO Kamal Gianchandani said, “For our latest addition to Vkaao’s movie library, we decided to revive the much-loved classic Namak Halaal.The concept of screening iconic films in theatres is highly popular in the west and we hope to popularize the same in India through Vkaao.”

    Namak Halaal was the perfect start to this endeavour as its witty dialogue, rib-tickling humour and stellar performances are timeless and hold a strong appeal even today. We want to give young audiences a chance to enjoy classic Indian movies such as this one. In addition, we want to offer older audiences the opportunity to watch the movies they have come to love and help them re-create their movie-going memories from yesteryears.”

    Shemaroo Entertainment director Hiren Gada shares his thoughts on the occasion, “We are overwhelmed and excited to re-release the film Namak Halaal on the big screen under our sub brand – Shemaroo ShowTime. It has been conceived to re-release / screen iconic movies from our vast library, thereby emoting nostalgic feeling in the audience. He also added, “In our experience, we have found that the younger audience too would love to have an opportunity to watch classic landmark movies like Namak Halaal. They have shown us positive response on social media and during theatrical screenings of such movies along with other platforms. In fact, with the growing popularity of retro content, we hope that, we soon will have to expand the number of platforms of our retro offerings.”

    Directed by Prakash Mehra, Namak Halaal stars Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Smita Patil, Parveen Babi & Waheeda Rehman. Undoubtedly one of the most entertaining movies ever made in Bollywood, it showcased Amitabh Bachchan’s comic side to the hilt.

    The film traces the journey of a country bumpkin, Amitabh Bachchan, who finds a job in a hotel only to realise that he must thwart a murder plot against the owner Shashi Kapoor. With the addition of Namak Halaal to its movie library, Vkaao aims to continue to bring classics from India as well as abroad and acquaint younger audiences with them along with offering older viewers a chance to revisit their favourite films.

  • Autistic-friendly ‘Sing’ screening held at PVR

    MUMBAI: Vkaao, India’s first-ever ‘theatre-on-demand’ service that enables individuals to choose the films that play in their local theatres, recently celebrated World Autism Awareness Day in a special way.

    The platform collaborated with Autism Centre for Excellence (ACE) to conduct a unique sensory-friendly movie screening of the movie ‘Sing’ for individuals with autism and their families. The screening was recently held at PVR Sangam, Delhi, in a safe and comforting environment designed especially to cater to the specific viewing requirements of autistic individuals.

    Sounds and lights were paid specific attention to by Vkaao during the screening. Lights were turned up for a better viewing experience, while the sound was turned down to levels more palatable to individuals on the autistic spectrum. This attention to detail was one of the prime reasons for the success of the Vkaao screening; the show was a houseful affair and audience members were seen enjoying the movie to the fullest, singing and dancing throughout the movie.

    PVR Pictures CEO Kamal Gianchandani said, “Autism affects more than 10 million people in India but awareness about this unique disorder is very limited. Our aim to associate with ACE to host this special screening of ‘Sing’ was to raise greater awareness about the issue. Witnessing the joy on the faces of people who attended the screening was extremely gratifying. We hope this initiative will help foster a nurturing, supportive environment for individuals on the autistic spectrum in the country.”

    A school for autistic children, ACE was conceived with the vision of improving the level and quality of autism-related interventions in India. ACE aims to utilise cutting-edge research and standardised educational practices to improve the outcome for children with moderate-to-severe autism.

    Vkaao focuses on leveraging state-of-the-art technology in order to create a social, crowd-sourced movie going experience.

  • PVR hopes for Rs 300 crore ticket sales through PayTM in first year

    PVR hopes for Rs 300 crore ticket sales through PayTM in first year

    NEW DELHI: PVR Theatres, which had entered into a strategic tie-up with PayTM  few days ago, hopes to sell tickets worth Rs 300 crore on PayTM’s e-commerce platforms in the first year, besides selling tickets from ticket counters and other channels.

    PVR Joint Managing Director Sanjeev Kumar Bijli told  indiantelevision.com  in an exclusive chat that this was a strategic business tie–up and therefore refused to comment about the monetary portion of the deal.

    The deal was part of PVR’s nationwide foray in the on-line movie ticket segment. There will be a complete 360 effort to publicize the deal on all PVR’s 501 screens. The tie up would be visible on all PVR screens. PayTM is also launching a 360 degree campaign to publiclise the new deal.

    PayTM founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma, while declining to give any specific figures for the campaign on his company’s deal with PVR  told indiantelevision.com that PayTM had spent Rs 1,670 crore on marketing in the previous year. He said that PVR would itself handle the marketing on its screens and PayTM would handle it outside.

    Asked how PayTM would be different from the PVR App or bookmyshow.com,Sharma said that there would be less clicks for booking a ticket and there wouldbe cash backs on every booking along with loyalty premiums. At a later stage, snacks during intervial could also come through PayTM, thus reducing huge queues.

    He also said that PayTM had 125 million (12.5 crore) registered users andhandled 90 million  (9 crore) orders per month and it would benefit from this tie-up, with PVR getting a different clientele than that normally queues online or offline for cinema tickets.

    Earlier this week at a press meet during which the tieup was announced,Sharma had described the PVR chain as the most marquee brand to tie-up with PayTM.

    Answering a question, Sharma had said that around 3.5 million (35 lakh) tickets are sold online daily in China, and there should be no reason for Indians not following suit.

    PVR’s Bijli said the new tie-up also included trailers of the films to be released in two or three months on the PayTM app, thus covering films that were running and those still to be released. This would help the viewer to decide on the film that should be seen.

    PVR chief of strategy Kamal Gianchandani said that the aim was to take online bookings up to sixty per cent. At present, around one-third of the buyers take their tickets online. When asked about whether any seats were kept out of the ambit of online bookings, he said these number was less than ten for any last minute bookings and are opened half hour before the show.

    PayTM is the first e-commerce site to add cinema booking as a category,Gianchandani said, adding that this would add to the user experience for the ease in booking tickets.

  • PVR hopes for Rs 300 crore ticket sales through PayTM in first year

    PVR hopes for Rs 300 crore ticket sales through PayTM in first year

    NEW DELHI: PVR Theatres, which had entered into a strategic tie-up with PayTM  few days ago, hopes to sell tickets worth Rs 300 crore on PayTM’s e-commerce platforms in the first year, besides selling tickets from ticket counters and other channels.

    PVR Joint Managing Director Sanjeev Kumar Bijli told  indiantelevision.com  in an exclusive chat that this was a strategic business tie–up and therefore refused to comment about the monetary portion of the deal.

    The deal was part of PVR’s nationwide foray in the on-line movie ticket segment. There will be a complete 360 effort to publicize the deal on all PVR’s 501 screens. The tie up would be visible on all PVR screens. PayTM is also launching a 360 degree campaign to publiclise the new deal.

    PayTM founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma, while declining to give any specific figures for the campaign on his company’s deal with PVR  told indiantelevision.com that PayTM had spent Rs 1,670 crore on marketing in the previous year. He said that PVR would itself handle the marketing on its screens and PayTM would handle it outside.

    Asked how PayTM would be different from the PVR App or bookmyshow.com,Sharma said that there would be less clicks for booking a ticket and there wouldbe cash backs on every booking along with loyalty premiums. At a later stage, snacks during intervial could also come through PayTM, thus reducing huge queues.

    He also said that PayTM had 125 million (12.5 crore) registered users andhandled 90 million  (9 crore) orders per month and it would benefit from this tie-up, with PVR getting a different clientele than that normally queues online or offline for cinema tickets.

    Earlier this week at a press meet during which the tieup was announced,Sharma had described the PVR chain as the most marquee brand to tie-up with PayTM.

    Answering a question, Sharma had said that around 3.5 million (35 lakh) tickets are sold online daily in China, and there should be no reason for Indians not following suit.

    PVR’s Bijli said the new tie-up also included trailers of the films to be released in two or three months on the PayTM app, thus covering films that were running and those still to be released. This would help the viewer to decide on the film that should be seen.

    PVR chief of strategy Kamal Gianchandani said that the aim was to take online bookings up to sixty per cent. At present, around one-third of the buyers take their tickets online. When asked about whether any seats were kept out of the ambit of online bookings, he said these number was less than ten for any last minute bookings and are opened half hour before the show.

    PayTM is the first e-commerce site to add cinema booking as a category,Gianchandani said, adding that this would add to the user experience for the ease in booking tickets.