Multiplex boom in Indore

After INOX and PVR, Adlabs Films is entering the city

The multiplex craze is finally catching up in Madhya Pradesh. Following the foot steps of INOX and PVR, Adlabs Films is also entering Indore. Recenlty, PVR started its screens at Treasure Island mall.

Adlabs is planning a four-screen multiplex with a seating capacity of 11,042 by May. The multiplex, Mangal Adlabs, is also coming up at the Mangal City mall.

"We are planing to have 200 screens by the year-end, with 2-3 new multiplexes being opened every month across the country. Indore will be one of the them," said Tushar Dhingra, chief operating officer (CEO), Adlabs Flims.

Adlabs Cinema expects to provide employment to at least 100 people in the City. Dhingra, however, refused to divulge details of the investments.

Nidhi Verma, chief general manager, PVR Indore said, "The demand has undergone a tremendous change in the B-class cities. People want to see movies and multiplexes offer them various options. Factors like retail boom, changing demographic profiles, rising disposable incomes and entertainment tax exemptions have helped in driving the growth of the industry."

Experts believe the film exhibition segment is seeing a major growth due to increasing demand for quality entertainment. Also corporatisation of the film production has proved to be a boon.

In addition to the growing audience, 100 per cent entertainment tax benefit offered by the state government is expected to contribute substantially to the bottomline of the multiplex operators.

However, with an increasing number of players rushing in to reap the benefit of the boom, many fear that the industry may soon reel under margin pressure due to over supply. Lalit Ojha, general manager, INOX, Indore, denied that there would be such a situation with all the operators eyeing the same market.

"There is enough potential for all players to survive, mainly because Indore has evolved as mature entertainment centre. Multiplexes are not only for the elite, it is for all. The latest fair ticketing price being offered by most players has also helped in growing the market," said Ojha.

Though prospects look promising, the quality of cinemas and their box office collection will play a major role in the performance of multiplexes, said experts.