Movies
PVR Inox brings IPL cricket to the big screen across 30+ cities
MUMBAI: PVR Inox Ltd, India’s largest cinema exhibitor, is set to send cricket fans into a frenzy by screening Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) matches live in theatres across the country. In a partnership with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the cinema chain will transform its plush screens into virtual stadiums for the 2025 season.
Starting today with the opening ceremony, cricket-mad fans can catch weekend matches and playoffs on the big screen, complete with stadium-worthy sound systems and comfy seats—a far cry from the plastic chairs and overpriced lager at actual grounds.
The opening weekend promises a cracking lineup:
* 22 March: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
* 23 March: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals, followed by the mouth-watering Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians rivalry
“We are excited to bring together India’s two greatest passions—cinema and cricket—through IPL screenings, offering an unparalleled viewing experience in a larger-than-life environment,” said PVR Inox chief executive for revenue and operations Gautam Dutta..“During the last cricket match screenings, we witnessed an overwhelming response from our audiences, with an influx of footfalls to our screenings across cities, affirming the immense popularity and success of this initiative. We are committed to providing a premium experience that takes sports entertainment to the next level this year as well
The cinema chain appears keen to cash in on India’s cricket fever, offering premium experiences that might make watching at home seem positively dull by comparison. Gourmet food combos and surround sound for every six and wicket? Howzat for a Saturday night out.
The screenings will blanket the country, hitting not just the usual suspects like Mumbai and Delhi, but also stretching to smaller cities where big-screen entertainment options are typically thinner on the ground than hair on a spinner’s head.
Fans in Maharashtra can catch matches in Mumbai, Pune and even Latur, while those in Gujarat have options in Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Anand, among others. The eastern cricket faithful aren’t left on a sticky wicket either, with screenings in Kolkata, Guwahati, Odisha and Jharkhand.
The initiative extends to Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and across southern India, including Hyderabad, Bangalore and Kochi.
This crafty move by PVR Inox not only fills cinema seats during what might otherwise be quiet weekend afternoons but also provides cricket enthusiasts with a novel way to soak up the IPL atmosphere without battling stadium crowds or straining their eyes on tiny mobile screens.
For those who prefer their cricket with air conditioning and the option of a decent meal, the boundary lines have just been redrawn.
International
Council of Europe to unveil new TV and streaming co-production convention
Series Mania Forum to host landmark signing to boost global TV collaboration
LILLE: The small screen is getting a big policy push. At this year’s Series Mania Forum in Lille, Alain Berset will take centre stage to chair the opening ceremony for a new international convention aimed at reshaping how television and streaming series are co-produced across borders.
Set for March 26 at the Théâtre Marie Curie in Lille Grand Palais, the signing marks the debut of the first legal framework dedicated specifically to the independent co-production of series. In an industry where stories travel faster than ever, the move aims to make collaboration smoother, fairer and more transparent.
Backed by the Council of Europe, the convention is designed to strengthen cultural ties, give independent producers a firmer footing, and bring greater clarity to deals in a rapidly evolving content landscape. With streaming platforms fuelling a surge in global storytelling, the timing feels deliberate.
Council of Europe secretary general Alain Berset, underscored the cultural heft of series today, noting how they carry voices and viewpoints across borders. He called on member states and countries beyond Europe to sign on, framing the initiative as a way to turn culture into a tool for cooperation and democratic exchange.
For Series Mania founder and general director Laurence Herszberg, hosting the signing is both symbolic and strategic. She described the convention as a step that could widen the range of stories reaching audiences, staying true to the forum’s long-standing mission of championing diverse storytelling.
The ceremony will unfold alongside the Lille Dialogues, a high-level summit that gathers policymakers and industry leaders to debate the future of Europe’s audiovisual sector. Berset is also set to deliver the opening address there, adding political weight to a week already rich in creative ambition.
In short, as screens multiply and borders blur, Europe is putting a framework in place to ensure that storytelling keeps pace, collaboratively and coherently.
