Digital
Cinépolis partners with Amazon Pay for faster, smoother ticket booking
MUMBAI: Popcorn? Check. Tickets? Check. Now with Cinépolis and Amazon Pay teaming up, your movie night just got a blockbuster upgrade. In a strategic move to amp up the convenience for cinema-goers, Cinépolis India, the country’s first international multiplex chain has partnered with Amazon Pay to roll out seamless, secure, and rewarding digital payments across all its theatres and platforms.
From quick one-click checkouts to exclusive launch offers and reward points, the alliance aims to transform every step of the movie journey, right from booking to binging on buttery popcorn.
“As a customer-first brand, we’re always looking to elevate the experience beyond just the big screen,” said Cinépolis India managing director Devang Sampat. “By integrating Amazon Pay, we’re offering patrons ease, trust, and extra value with every ticket or tub of caramel corn.”
Beginning with exclusive offers, the rollout is being activated across all Cinépolis locations covering its 449 screens under Cinépolis, Cinépolis VIP, and Fun Cinemas brands.
Amazon Pay India’s CEO Vikas Bansal added, “This collaboration is about combining secure, speedy transactions with entertainment. It’s one more step in making everyday spends including your next blockbuster binge more rewarding.”
This isn’t Cinépolis’ first brush with innovation. From kid-friendly ‘Cinépolis Junior’ auditoriums with bean bags and loungers to its Club Cinépolis loyalty programme offering star-studded perks and pre-screening invites, the chain has built its name on tech-savvy hospitality.
The partnership continues Cinépolis’ award-winning run having bagged the ‘Retailer of the Year – Leisure and Entertainment’ title at MAPIC 2024 and a string of other honours across 2023.
And now, with the tap of a button, you can grab your seat, skip the queues, and get rewarded for every rom-com, thriller, or superhero saga you devour.
In other words, paying for your film fix just got its own plot twist.
Digital
Maharashtra partners OpenAI, Sarvam AI to boost state’s tech ecosystem
State to set up dedicated AI department and roll out frontier technology policies
MUMBAI: Maharashtra is set to become a primary hub for artificial intelligence following the 2026–27 Budget announcement. chief minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed that the state has signed letters of intent with global giant OpenAI and national pioneer Sarvam AI to integrate advanced technology into the state’s economic and administrative framework.
The collaboration with OpenAI and Sarvam AI marks a shift towards adopting cutting-edge generative tools for governance. These partnerships, alongside MoUs with IIT Bombay and BharatGen, are designed to create a robust ecosystem for research and innovation. The move signals the state’s intent to bring together global technology leaders and domestic research institutions to accelerate the development and adoption of artificial intelligence across sectors.
Regarding the strategic intent of these alliances, chief minister Fadnavis stated, “With the objective of making the State’s Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence sector dynamic, letters of intent have been signed with globally and nationally reputed institutions like OpenAI and Sarvam AI to facilitate the Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence sector in the state.”
To manage these high-level partnerships and ensure effective implementation, the government is establishing an independent department of electronics, Information technology, and artificial intelligence. The new department will function with a dedicated commissionerate and specialised technical manpower, enabling faster decision-making, improved coordination, and stronger accountability in executing technology-driven initiatives.
The state also plans to introduce special policies aimed at strengthening its position in emerging technology sectors. These policies will focus on advancing Maharashtra as a global hub for frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, drones, autonomous vehicles, and deep technology.
According to the chief minister, “The state government plans to introduce special policies to develop Maharashtra as a world-class hub for frontier technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing, drones, autonomous vehicles and deep technology.”
Artificial intelligence is already being integrated into the state’s governance framework. A collaboration with Microsoft has led to the development of MahaCrimeOS AI, a platform that has reportedly reduced police investigation times by 80 per cent across 23 police stations in Nagpur. The initiative demonstrates how AI-driven tools can significantly enhance law enforcement efficiency and data analysis capabilities.
The government is also working toward building a fully digitised administrative ecosystem. Plans are underway to achieve complete digitisation of land transactions and implement electronic office systems across departments, paving the way for a paperless government. In addition, a pilot project will introduce AI-powered solutions in 75 selected villages to improve infrastructure, governance efficiency, and overall quality of life in rural areas.
To strengthen digital infrastructure and data protection, the state also intends to establish an advanced data centre in Nagpur. This facility will be designed to safeguard sensitive and sovereign information while supporting large-scale digital services and government platforms.
These initiatives form part of Maharashtra’s broader cyber security and digital transformation strategy aligned with the Viksit Maharashtra 2047 vision. By partnering with global and domestic technology leaders such as OpenAI and Sarvam AI, the state aims to build a secure, future-ready digital ecosystem that enhances citizen services, supports innovation, and strengthens India’s position in emerging technologies.
