PVR set to foray into Rajasthan

PVR, a multiplex development company, has drawn up plans for Rajasthan.

The company, which began its commercial operations in June 1997 with the launch of PVR Anupam in Delhi, is set to make its presence felt in three cities of Rajasthan soon.

"We are setting up a five-screen multiplex, with a seating capacity of over 1,060, in Jaipur's World Trade Park, a four-screen set-up in Majestic Studio, Jodhpur, with a seating capacity of over 1,190 and a three-screen set-up in Udaipur with a seating capacity of over 1,200," a company official told BS.

He said the three projects were estimated to cost over Rs 40 crore. "All the projects were slated to be operational in 1-2 years," he added. He said besides these three, the company was looking at other cities also. However, he refused to give details.

He said the company commanded a significant presence in New Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Lucknow and Indore, making it the largest cinema exhibition chain in the country. "Post the success of PVR Saket and PVR Priya, a 25-year-old cinema completely renovated and brought into the fold of PVR in January 2000, PVR cinema gained dominance in the capital and expanded to West Delhi in 2001 with the launch of two new multiplexes -- PVR Naraina and PVR Vikaspuri and then PVR EDM in East Delhi," he added.

In May 2003, PVR cinemas further expanded with opening a 7-screen cinema-PVR Europa in Gurgaon and PVR Faridabad and PVR SRS Faridabad in 2004.

PVR Group has re-opened Delhi's oldest and most popular cinema halls, Plaza and Rivoli; now known as PVR Plaza and PVR Rivoli. These all-new single screen auditoriums has been renovated and refurbished.

In the mean time, PVR also brought North, its largest multiplex "�"Spice PVR" with PVR's signature Gold Class cinema experience is being introduced for the first time in North India.

PVR cinemas, set foot in southern India, opening India's largest multiplex (11 screens) in Bangalore and PVR Hyderabad in 2006.

The company also forayed in other parts of the country with subsequent openings of PVR Juhu in Mumbai, PVR Lucknow and 5 screen PVR Indore this year and the very recent PVR Mulund in Mumbai and PVR Sahara Mall in Gurgaon.

The company has 77 screens nationwide, the largest in the country with pan India footprint in 9 cities.

PVR has also ventured into the business of film distribution and set up PVR Pictures, a fully-owned subsidiary of PVR Ltd. PVR Pictures specialises in acquisition and local distribution of films.

This is a strategic business unit aimed at solidifying PVR's exhibition growth and strength. PVR Pictures has successfully released films produced by US-based production house Miramax.