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Cricket goes widescreen as PVR Inox brings Asia Cup 2025 to cinemas
MUMBAI: Popcorn, plush seats, and a sixer on the big screen PVR Inox is giving cricket a cinematic twist. The country’s largest multiplex chain has teamed up with ITW Universe and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to beam the Asia Cup 2025 India fixtures live across more than 200 cinema screens nationwide.
The first blockbuster is, of course, the India–Pakistan clash on 14 September 2025, followed by India vs Oman on 19 September, the Super Four matches from 20–26 September, and the grand finale on 28 September. Tickets for the screenings go live on 11 September, with fans promised an atmosphere as electrifying as a stadium, only with better acoustics.
“We are thrilled to bring cricket’s biggest rivalry to the silver screen,” said PVR Inox lead specialist for innovation, film marketing & digital programming Aamer Bijli. “Cricket in India is more than a sport, it’s an emotion. By showcasing these highly anticipated matches on the big screen, we aim to create a community viewing experience like no other.”
For ITW Universe, the collaboration is about turning fandom into a shared spectacle. “The Asia Cup is the pinnacle of Asian cricketing rivalry. Watching it in cinemas is larger than life and deeply immersive,” noted ITW Universe co-founder Bhairav Shanth crediting the ACC for awarding public screening rights.
The ACC too sees this as a leap in accessibility. “Bringing live matches into nationwide cinemas reflects our commitment to making cricket more inclusive,” said ACC GM for finance and ops Thusith Perera.
This move is part of PVR Inox’s alternate content strategy, which has already seen screenings of live concerts, cultural events, and gaming tournaments. With cricket now joining the line-up, the multiplex chain is firmly positioning cinemas as community hubs, not just movie halls.
So whether you’re after cover drives or cover songs in between overs, PVR Inox is betting that this season, the Asia Cup will be as much about the big screen as the big game.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
