Multiplexes mushroom in Diamond City

Surat, the second biggest city of Gujarat and better known as the textile and diamond hub of the country, seems to be going hot on multiplexes.

In less than a year, the city will have its third multiplex with the Fame Chain of Multiplexes, a part of the Mumbai-based Shringar Group, set to open a mall in Surat.

Called Fame Raj Empire, the company is likely to open the multiplex by April. This is the maiden entry of the group in the multiplex business in Gujarat, which has given priority to Surat over a "multiplex-saturated Ahmedabad".

At present Surat has two multiplexes - Valentine and City Plus on the Dumas Road, while the Fame Raj Empire would come up much in the city on the Bhatar Road.

"We are proud to announce the company's first venture as an exhibitor in Gujarat. We have always had film distribution links with the state and now we have managed to expand our exhibition business as well," said Shravan Shroff, director, Shringar Cinemas.

"The basic aim of the group is to provide cine lovers with a unique movie viewing experience," he said.

The luxurious six-screen multiplex will be housed in the upcoming entertainment plaza, the Raj Empire, at Bhatar Road in southwest Surat.

The Surat project has been jointly promoted by Shroff and Raj Kumar Gulshan of Raj Enterprises who already owns three theatres - Raj Kumar, Raj Palace and Raj Mahal in Surat.

Fame Raj Empire will be spread over 75,000 square feet of area and will feature six auditoriums with a total seating capacity of 1,800 people.

The traditional manual ticketing counter will be replaced by a computerised ticketing software which will enable the theatre to offer multiple ticket booking options like tele-booking with home delivery facility, booking over the Internet and also through short messaging service (SMS).

One of the auditoriums will also have business class seating arrangements with more leg space, exclusive lobby and special services.