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Tag: Multiplex

  • Bengali film viewing has dropped: CII & IMRB report

    Bengali film viewing has dropped: CII & IMRB report

    KOLKATA: Majority of Bengali film viewers in Kolkata have not been in theatres in the last one year to watch a Bengali film, despite proliferation of multiplexes. However, it is interesting to note that in the districts, around two thirds have visited movie theaters to catch a Bengali film, but the frequency of visits are quite low, not even three films in a year, reveals a report ‘Bengal Bioscope: A Big Picture Outlook for Sustainable Growth’ launched jointly by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and IMRB.

    The report further reveals that around 30 per cent of Bengali cinema viewers do not contemplate watching a Bengali film in a hall in near future and an additional 10 per cent have stopped watching Bengali films on big screens in the last one year.

    This is further corroborated by IMRB’s primary survey of 35 single screen theatres across Kolkata and West Bengal revealing 30 per cent occupancy on weekends and around 20 per cent on weekdays.

    The tastes and preference of viewers in Kolkata and rest of Bengal are quite different which is echoed by only handful of releases successfully straddling both geographies.
    While original engaging content, a larger pool of good actors and directors and better in hall experience can drive Bengalis back to cinema halls.

    The report was launched at CII Big Picture Summit – Vision Bengal, 2014 on 12 December. The CII has partnered with IMRB International to conduct a study on Bengali film industry that focuses on understanding the emerging business models, importance of internet and innovative viewer engagement methods that are vital for the growth of the industry. 

    As a part of this project, IMRB conducted a first of its kind consumer survey across eight districts in urban West Bengal to learn the changing nature of film viewership and the general perception of Bengali films among its target audience. In addition to the consumer survey, a series of interviews were conducted to understand the trade insights of the film industry through in depth interactions with producers, actors, directors, distributors, exhibitors and broadcasters of Bengali cinema, it is further learnt.

    “With the increasing investment in infrastructure and production as well as growing consumer interest in regional cinema, we see a very bright future for Bengali film industry which has always been a flag bearer of creative excellence. The study encompasses the key constituents of the industry – producers, creative artists, distributors- as well the opinions of consumers who decide the fate of the creative products,” said IMRB International SVP media & retail Hemant Mehta.

    CII director General Chandrajit Banerjee said, “CII’s vision is to take the Indian Media and Entertainment sector towards achieving $100 billion by the year 2020. We expect that this growth will also come from regional media and entertainment markets across India.”

    “Regional is the new national and it fits well for the media and entertainment sector. Bengali Cinema has an enviable past and it continues to be one of the most vibrant regional film industries in the country,” Banerjee concluded.

  • Carnival Cinemas opens its first multiplex in north India

    Carnival Cinemas opens its first multiplex in north India

    NEW DELHI: The Carnival Cinemas have launched a three-screen multiplex in EuroPark Mall of Sahibabad near Delhi with the screening of Akshay Kumar’s Entertainment. 

     

    The Carnival Group had earlier acquired HDIL’s multiplex chain Broadway Cinemas.

     

    Following the strategy of ‘Vision 300’ (launching of 300 screens by 2015), Carnival Cinemas has spread its footprints in metros and pan India with an aim to offer better and enhanced quality movie watching experience across the nation.

     

    Carnbival Group Chairman Shrikant Bhasi said, “After tapping metros, this is another step towards growth of Carnival Cinemas in tier II and III cities. Our mission and vision is to provide quality service and an excellent movie watching experience to our viewers. We are sure that Carnival Cinemas will become a major hub for entertainment with providing best facilities to our customers in the coming year. As competition, we plan to achieve our mission of phase one, as we see space for us to operate 300 screens”.

     

    CEO PV Sunil told indiantelevision.com that this takes the total of Carnival screens to 40, and the Sahibabad theatre is the first in north India owned by the group.

     

    Equipped with best technologies, Carnival has tapped the Europark mall in an area which is densely populated with major educational institutions and other industries. The connectivity of the locality with rest of Ghaziabad is another plus point to gear up the beginning.

     

    Carnival Group is a Mumbai-based corporate with diversified business in hospitality, media and entertainment fields. It has already established its brands in movie production, distribution and exhibition along with food courts, events, equipment rentals as well as a music label. Carnival is currently present in Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.                  

  • Carnival Group buys out Broadway Cinemas, aims to target 300 screens

    Carnival Group buys out Broadway Cinemas, aims to target 300 screens

    NEW DELHI: HDIL’s multiplex chain Broadway Cinemas has been bought over by Carnival Group for around Rs 110 crore.

     

    Both the firms had been in talks with each other for a few months and the deal was concluded on 2 July.

     

    Carnival Cinemas (A division of Carnival Group) is gearing up to accomplish “Vision 300”, which is launching of 300 screens across India by end of this financial year. After having a strong hold in Kerala and other southern states, Carnival Cinemas now aims to give diverse movie watching experience by laying more emphasis on providing quality entertainment experience to citizens all across the country.

     

    With this acquisition, Carnival Cinemas has plans to become a major player in multiplex business segment with an investment plans in the coming years.

     

    Speaking about this acquisition Carnival Group chairman Shrikant Bhasi said, “Our journey began from Kerala but this step of acquiring HDIL’s Broadway Cinema is one more step towards achieving our aim of Vision 300 (launching of 300 screens across India). With the integration of Broadway, we plan to boost and draw audiences to cinemas keeping in mind the Carnival experience all across.”

  • Yahoo India launches online movie VOD services

    Yahoo India launches online movie VOD services

    MUMBAI: Digital media company Yahoo! India will provide licensed full-length movies through the Internet on demand and is collaborating with movie production houses.

     

    Movieplex (movies.yahoo.in/movieplex) aims to deliver locally relevant content experiences to both consumers and advertisers through immersive video content.

     

    This content is easily discovered on Yahoo! India (www.yahoo.in) and users will be able to watch this from their home or anywhere with an Internet connection. Movies currently available on Movieplex include Rock On, Rann, Dil to Baccha Hai Ji and more.
     

    Yahoo! India MD Arun Tadanki said, “Over 30 million Internet users consume 1.7 billion videos every month across India*. With the increasing demand for online video, both consumers and content providers are looking for a trusted destination where quality content can be consumed in a piracy-free environment at their leisure. Movieplex is an example of how Yahoo! connects people to what matters to them the most and Indian movie lovers now have the best full-length movies available to them at their convenience.”

     

    A key advertiser on Movieplex, LG Electronics CMO L.K. Gupta added, “The growth in online video viewing has been exponential and movies are passionately followed by the Indian audience online. We are delighted to work with Yahoo! on the launch of Movieplex and through our association, we aim to deliver the LG Cinema 3D Smart TV* proposition to millions of deeply engaged Yahoo! consumers.”
  • Big Cinemas launch a multiplex in Kundli Haryana

    Big Cinemas launch a multiplex in Kundli Haryana

    MUMBAI: Pushing up the cadence of its expansion plans, Reliance MediaWorks is all set to launch a Big Cinemas, multiplex in Kundli Haryana. Conveniently located at Ansal Highway Plaza Mall one of the most happening and widely popular places in the city. Big Cinemas multiplex in Kundli is Reliance MediaWorks 96th multiplex in India, 3rd in Haryana and 32ndin Northern India. The multiplex will be inaugurated by Shri. Mr. Chandra Shekhar, IAS (Deputy Commissioner, Sonipat) and Mr. Pranav Ansal, Vice Chairman Ansal API.

    The new Big Cinemas multiplex will enhance the cinema viewing experience in Kundli. This cinema is equipped with 2K projection system and is equipped with a 3D screen and fully digital sound. Spread across an area of approximately 28000 sqft the new Big Cinemas multiplex has 3 screens and a seating capacity of approximately 666 people. The opening of the multiplex coincides with the most eagerly awaited film of the year Dhoom 3 which will be screened at the theatre.

    Speaking on the occasion Mr. Venkatesh Roddam, CEO Reliance MediaWorks said, “Big Cinemas have consistently delivered a differentiated entertainment experience that has not only delighted our guests but offered us a competitive edge that has strengthened our business. Throughout the network, of Big Cinemas the quality of film theaters and services is constantly being improved notably through the development of digital projection to offer both higher projection quality and a greater diversity of films. We look forward to introducing audiences to a movie-going experience unlike anything they’ve experienced before.”

    Commenting on the launch, Mr. Ashish Saksena COO Big Cinemas said, “We are reinforcing our presence in North India with the expansion of our cinemas business and are extremely happy to extend the reach of our most vibrant brand, Big Cinemas to the residents of Kundli. We are confident that our new multiplex would receive a warm welcome from the discerning audience in the city because of the unparalleled movie experience and extremely enjoyable ambience that Big Cinemas offers.”

  • PVR opens its third multiplex in Kolkata

    PVR opens its third multiplex in Kolkata

    PVR Cinemas launched its third multiplex in Kolkata, spread across an area of 42,000 square feet (sqft) with a total capacity of 1,146 seats on Friday. The five-screen multiplex at Diamond Mall, Jassore Road, is likely to give an overwhelming response to the company.

     

    With this property, the cinema exhibition company has reached a screen count of 13 screens at three different locales of the Kolkata city, with its existing ones at Avani Mall, Diamond Mall and Mani Square.

     

    The opening of the latest multiplex has increased the total screen count of PVR to 398 screens in 92 cinemas in 37 cities across India.

     

    “PVR has spread its presence at three different locations in the city for easy accessibility by the movie goers.” said PVR chief operating officer Gautam Dutta.

     

    It is learnt that the multiplex also boasts of 2K ‘Christie’ digital projection, 7.1 surround sound, 3D enabled screens and three-way JBL speakers in order to offer an unmatched movie experience to the movie lovers of the city.

  • Fame is dead, long live Inox

    Fame is dead, long live Inox

    MUMBAI: In 2011, Inox’s takeover of Fame India made for headlines, while giving a fillip to the Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Capital Partners and becoming the country’s biggest multiplex chain in the bargain.

    Two years later, change is finally happening. On Monday, 17 September the Fame website www.famecinemas.com ceased to exist, and is in the process of moving into the Inox website.

    All Fame properties will henceforth be called Inox. Also, a marketing campaign comprising print, outdoor and radio and spanning over two months has been kicked off to communicate the new name to people. As part of the campaign, there will be advertisements and inserts in a range of newspapers across cities that house Fame multiplexes. The value of marketing across 24 cities is pegged at approximately Rs 15-20 crore by industry sources. Similarly, Fame will undergo physical changes where the new logo of Inox will make its presence felt on tickets, popcorn cups and uniforms worn by the staff.

    About the acquisition, Inox Leisure CEO Alok Tandon said: “The good points of Fame and Inox have been put together. The first phase will see Mumbai experiencing the change this week, after which, Kolkata and Bengaluru are next with cities such as Pune, Panchkula and Dhanbad following suit.”

    Asked why it took two years for the renaming, Tandon said: “The acquisition got finalised only this year in May since we had to visit two courts (Baroda and Mumbai) in two states- . Only after that could we start our renaming process.”

    With 73 multiplexes and 284 screens across 40 cities; of which 25 multiplexes with 94 screens belong to Fame India, Inox is in a happy space. Maharashtra boasts the highest number of Inox multiplexes – 19 with 76 screens, followed by West Bengal with 13 multiplexes and 49 screens. Indeed, the last of Inox’s 73 multiplexes was added only yesterday, in Haryana, with nearly Rs 7-10 crore having gone into the setup. As things stand, Inox claims to attract over four crore movie goers annually.

    What’s more, plans are afoot to expand into cities like Greater Noida, Gurgaon, Jalgaon, Madurai, Jamnagar and Manipal as also increase the existing number of multiplexes in places like Lucknow, Raipur and Surat.

    To mark the change from Fame to Inox, a new ‘Feature Presentation Dater’ has been created, with sound designing by Oscar Award winning Resul Pookutty. “Our aim is to make the audience experience high fidelity,” says Pookutty, adding that an atmos version of the same is on the anvil.

    The question now remains whether Inox will continue to retain its Fame?

  • Centuryply unveils “Sab Sahe Mast Rahe” campaign

    MUMBAI: Centuryply has unveiled its new advertising campaign to communicate a new interpretation to the brand tag line ‘Sab Sahe Mast Rahe‘.

    Bates Kolkata has ideated and conceptualised the campaign.

    The campaign is based on a basic human insight that when people get angry, they lose control over themselves and unleash their anger on objects around. Mostly, it‘s doors, windows, wardrobes, tables and other pieces of wooden furniture that bear the brunt. It takes all the battering in its‘ stride and gives peace and tranquility in return. Hence, it is titled ‘Sab Sahe Mast Rahe‘.

    It aims at redefining the brand image and increasing consumer involvement with the plywood category through Bates‘s proprietary ‘Changengage‘ tool. The campaign is targeted at upwardly mobile urban male in the age group of 35-45 years who is a homeowner and digital savvy, the company said.

    Bates ECD Arjun Mukherjee said, “The pressure was on, tension ran high and everyone was looking for that killer idea. And then it happened. Anger got the better of the team and turned them into growling monsters. It was total mayhem! Everyone started taking it out on the tables, chairs, doors, windows and other furniture. Many kicks and punches later an idea was born!! A basic human emotion was used to demonstrate the immense strength of Centuryply. Finally the dust settled, the anger evaporated quickly and we had our campaign.”

    The campaign is airing on News, GEC, infotainment and some select sports channels in the primetime slot. Besides TV, Centuryply has drawn a multi-media campaign plan to reach its TG by using media vehicles like OOH, Radio, Multiplex and Digital platforms.

    The campaign will go on till March 2013. To ensure consumer engagement, BTL activities like multiplex, mall and trade activations have been planned.

    The TVC has been shot in Poland by Vinod P Vijay of Lemon Yellow Sun Films.

    The spot starts with a little boy munching chips. He sees an SUV crashing behind him and looks up to find a monstrous Gorilla growling angrily at him. The Gorilla then charges with full steam and kicks the door of the house without being able to make any impact. Dumbfounded, the Gorilla makes way for the roof of the house, breaks in and crashes on the dining table. Just like the door, the table too is unaffected. We now see the man of the house, scared out of his wits, escaping into the cupboard, followed by the angry Gorilla. The Gorilla hits the cupboard with all its might but in vain. Finally comes the moment of truth and through a reflection in the mirror we discover that it‘s actually the wife who was banging the cupboard door. She was angry on her husband who had forgotten their anniversary. Threatening him with dire consequences should he forget it ever again, they sit down over dinner to celebrate. Nemesis strikes our man yet again as he asks, “So how many years has it been?” The gorilla is back, madly thumping against the wooden dining table.

  • PVR launches 5-screen multiplex in Nagpur

    PVR launches 5-screen multiplex in Nagpur

    MUMBAI: PVR has launched its five-screen multiplex at the Empress Mall, near Gandhi Lake, Nagpur.

    With this launch in Nagpur, PVR now has 39 screens and eight multiplexes in five key cities of Maharashtra including four in Mumbai, one in Latur, one in Aurangabad and one in Nanded.

    The multiplex is spread across an area of 50,000 sq. ft. with a capacity of 1234 seats and will provide a digital movie experience to the cinegoers of the city at a pricing ranging from Rs 70–Rs 180.

    With the launch in Nagpur, PVR today stands at 184 screens in 42 cinemas in 13 states & 25 cities across India.

    PVR Ltd. Group President Pramod Arora said, “Over the years, we have understood the demand in smaller towns and hence we have grown steadily by expanding our presence in tier II and III cities across India. Building on the success of our properties launched across Maharashtra in cities like Mumbai, Latur, Nanded and Aurangabad, we are confident that the multiplex in Nagpur will be well received by the patrons.”
     

  • Multiplex operators post weak recovery in FY’10

    The multiplex operators were up against the wall in FY’10. The first quarter was gobbled by a bitter row with the film producers, freezing fresh movie content from the Bollywood studios. Revenues went for a toss as they tried to source alternate content and tapped regional language movies.

    The bruise didn’t disappear in a hurry as the revenue-share arrangement increased their content costs. The release window shortened as film producers had to find space in the clutter. The situation worsened as most of the movies bombed at the box office.

    Corrective measures were taken and the major players hiked ticket prices while their expenses also deepened. Revenue for the fiscal jumped but operating profit took a knock.

    Revenue soars

    The combined turnover of the five listed cinema exhibitors stood at Rs 13.73 billion in FY’10, up 21.47 per cent over the earlier year. The major reason was hike in the ticket prices and some blockbuster movies in between (like 3Idiots, Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahani etc).

    Reliance Mediaworks, Fame India and Cinemax saw maximum growth in revenues, jumping 39.5 per cent, 28.7 per cent and 25 per cent for each of them. Inox Leisure saw a moderate 12.6 per cent growth, while PVR had a measly 3.2 per cent increase in its income.

    Higher expenses as distributor payout increases

    Multiplex operators had to cough out more to the film distributors due to the new revenue share agreement.

    Though the companies kept control over personnel costs, their interests in organic and inorganic growth led them to invest to build or acquire properties. This resulted in increase in expenses.

    Expenses in the fiscal stood at Rs 13.59 billion, up 24 per cent, from Rs 10.98 billion in FY09. (Disclaimer: All expenses figure are on approximate basis barring PVR, as the companies have not given the expenses for the exhibition segment separately.).

    Fame India, Reliance MediaWorks and Cinemax had seen over 30 per cent increase in their expenses during the fiscal, compared to the year-ago period.

    Inox saw a 16.5 per cent rise in expenses over the year-ago period, while PVR kept the expenses under control with just over one per cent increase over the earlier year.

    At the operational level, all the exhibitors had a bad year as between the two fiscals, their profit narrowed by 58.3 per cent in FY’10 over the year-ago period. The FY’10 operating profit stood at Rs 179.09 million as compared to operating profit of Rs 429.69 million.

    The companies who suffered the most were Fame India (down 80.3%), and Cinemax (down 64.07%). However, Reliance MediaWorks, which had suffered an operating loss from the exhibition sector during FY’09 (Rs 454.56 million), increased the losses by nine per cent to Rs 495.37 million in the fiscal 2009-10.

     

     

    The cinema exhibitors are expected to put up a better show in FY’11 with an increase in ticket prices and, hopefully, more successful movies.