MAM
Mukta A2 Cinemas to establish cinemas in Saudi Arabia
Mumbai: After expanding its businesses in India and internationally, Mukta Arts Ltd. through its Bahrain subsidiary, Mukta A2 Multiplex W.L.L. has entered into an agreement with Al-Othaim Investment Company to establish and operate cinemas across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The partnership highlights the synergies between the real estate footprint of the Al-Othaim group and the experience of Mukta A2 Cinemas across the value chain in the movie exhibition business.
Mukta Arts Ltd. managing director Rahul Puri commented, “We are thrilled to be partnering with the Al-Othaim group to help build out the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s fledgling exhibition market. We are excited to add our experience and ethos in providing world-class entertainment to the region to follow up the stellar success we have found in Bahrain with the properties we manage there. We are deeply committed to this project and are humbled by the faith shown in us. We look forward to the partnership and the value it brings.”
“Strategically positioned within Saudi Arabia, the key focal points for expansion lie in the burgeoning Tier 2 and 3 cities, which are experiencing dynamic growth as part of the Vision 2030 initiative. Mukta, while not currently engaged in direct investment, has strategically positioned itself through contractual agreements solely focused on providing Management and Operations services, aligning seamlessly with the evolving landscape of these emerging markets,” he further added.
Mukta A2 Cinemas COO of ME Akshay Bajaj commented, “We look forward to the synergies of our partnership with the Al-Othaim group and to provide movie-goers with unrivaled experiences as Saudi Arabia increases its ever-growing cultural and entertainment offerings.”
This further boosts the expansion plans for the cinema exhibition business of Mukta Arts Ltd, which already has in its control over 100 screens, i.e. through Mukta A2 Cinemas Ltd, subsidiary company, Mukta A2 Multiplex WLL, subsidiary at Bahrain and through its joint ventures.
Digital
India leads global adoption of ChatGPT Images 2.0 in first week
From anime avatars to fantasy covers, users turn AI visuals into culture
NEW DELHI: India has emerged as the largest user base for ChatGPT Images 2.0, just a week after its launch by OpenAI, underlining the country’s growing influence on global internet trends.
While the tool was introduced as an advanced image-generation upgrade within ChatGPT, Indian users are quickly reshaping its purpose. Instead of sticking to productivity-led use cases, many are embracing it as a creative playground for self-expression, storytelling and online identity.
From anime-style portraits and cinematic headshots to tarot-inspired visuals and fictional newspaper front pages, the model is being used to create highly stylised, shareable content. Features such as accurate text rendering, multilingual prompts and the ability to generate detailed visuals with minimal input have helped drive rapid adoption.
What sets the latest model apart is its ability to “think” through prompts, generating multiple outputs and adapting to context, including real-time web inputs. But the bigger story lies in how users are engaging with it.
In India, trends are already taking shape. Popular formats include dramatic studio-style lighting edits, LinkedIn-ready headshots, manga-inspired avatars, soft pastel “spring” aesthetics, AI-led fashion moodboards, paparazzi-style visuals and fantasy newspaper covers. Users are also restoring old photographs, creating tarot-style imagery and experimenting with futuristic design concepts.
Local flavour is adding another layer. Prompts such as cinematic portrait collages and Y2K-inspired romantic edits are gaining traction, blending global aesthetics with distinctly Indian internet culture.
The surge reflects a broader shift in how AI tools are being used in the country, moving beyond utility to creativity. As younger users, creators and social media enthusiasts experiment with new visual formats, AI-generated imagery is increasingly becoming part of everyday digital expression.
If early trends hold, ChatGPT Images 2.0 may not just be a tech upgrade but a cultural moment, giving millions a new visual language to play with online.
