MUMBAI: Multiplex chain operator Cinemax India Ltd plans to foray into film production and distribution once it achieves a critical scale of at least 100 screens, targetting March end..

The company hopes to have 75-80 screens by the end of March 2008. It currently has 51 screens across 17 properties countrywide.

"We will get into film production and distribution only after we reach a critical mass. We should at least be having 100-150 screens. That is probably a correct time to have a look at these new lines of business," says a source in the company.

Cinemax expects to open its Nagpur mall and multiplex soon, giving its topline and bottomline a boost.

"This is our last owned property. We will be going for the lease model after that," the source adds.

Cinemax has posted a total income of Rs 547.60 million during the first nine months of the fiscal ended 31 March 2008.