MAM
DT Cinemas launches ‘Bollywood before time’ promos
NEW DELHI: In an innovative way of creating buzz around its multiplex, the Gurgaon-based DT Cinemas has launched a new promotional campaign for both Hollywood and Bollywood movies to establish itself in the flourishing film exhibition business.
DT Cinemas, a venture of DLF City Centre launched in Gurgaon in March this year, has introduced the `Hollywood Before Time’ and `Bollywood Before Time’ promotions. This is a concept wherein big flicks are shown to selective
audience a few days before the release of the movie in the country.
DT Cinemas’ chief executive officer, Kajal Aijaz, says: “Such sneak previews help in creating a positive buzz about the movie. This concept has proved to be very successful abroad. Also, such previews are a win-win situation for the distributor, producer and exhibitor.”
The audience mostly comprises winners of SMS contests. The interactive contests also enable the multiplex in increasing the association with the target audience.
The multiplex has conducted previews of recent English movies Johnny English and X Men-2 and Hindi movies Bhoot and Supari a day before their nationwide release. “Bhoot was again an invitation affair through an arrangement with the film’s director Ram Gopal Varma,” added Aijaz.
Defending the argument that a Thursday night preview wouldn’t be a preview in the true sense, as the general public gets to see the movie within few hours, Aijaz says: “It’s extremely difficult to get a print earlier, even if it’s a day earlier. Under the `Hollywood Before Time’ and `Bollywood
Before Time’ promotions, we try and show movies one to four days before the film is actually released in theatres in the country.”
The multiplex, which is being positioned as `getting more out of movies’, has imported the state-of-the-art projection systems from the US-based company Christie. DT Cinemas intends to acquire five more existing cinema halls in the near future.
The average cost of acquisition is expected to be in the range of Rs 150-300 million as the multiplex is evaluating Delhi
Development Authority tenders for its expansion plans.
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
