Box Populi
Cineline slips into Q1 loss despite double digit growth in revenue
Revenue rises 31 per cent to Rs 59.3 crore but exceptional costs drag earnings
MUMBAI: The box office kept the popcorn popping, but Cineline’s bottom line missed its blockbuster ending. The multiplex operator reported a net loss of Rs 1.21 crore for the quarter ended 30 June 2026, as exceptional charges offset healthy revenue growth during the period.
Cineline India Ltd posted a loss after tax of Rs 1.21 crore, compared with a loss of Rs 2.06 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. However, the company slipped into the red sequentially after reporting a profit of Rs 3.32 crore in the March quarter.
Revenue from operations rose 30.9 per cent year-on-year to Rs 59.27 crore, up from Rs 45.29 crore in the year-ago quarter, reflecting stronger footfalls and higher spending across its cinema business.
Including other income of Rs 1.03 crore, total income increased to Rs 60.31 crore, compared with Rs 46.99 crore a year earlier.
Operating performance improved significantly, with the company reporting an operating profit before exceptional items and tax of Rs 0.06 crore, compared with an operating loss of Rs 2.70 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.
However, an exceptional charge of Rs 1.54 crore pushed the company into a pre-tax loss of Rs 1.48 crore, against a pre-tax loss of Rs 2.70 crore a year ago.
Total expenses rose to Rs 60.25 crore from Rs 49.69 crore, broadly in line with the increase in business activity.
Among the major cost heads, movie exhibition expenses climbed to Rs 15.26 crore from Rs 12.17 crore, while food and beverage consumption increased to Rs 3.60 crore from Rs 2.96 crore. Power and fuel costs stood at Rs 6.22 crore, up from Rs 4.57 crore, reflecting higher operational activity across cinema properties.
Employee benefit expenses rose to Rs 4.78 crore, while finance costs increased to Rs 3.65 crore. Depreciation and amortisation stood at Rs 8.91 crore, compared with Rs 6.84 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.
The company reported total comprehensive loss of Rs 1.14 crore, an improvement over the Rs 2.10 crore loss recorded a year earlier.
Despite returning to a quarterly loss, the results indicate that Cineline’s core exhibition business continues to recover, with revenue growing at a healthy pace. The challenge now lies in converting that momentum into consistent profitability as higher operating costs and one-off expenses continue to weigh on earnings.
