Hindi
Cinemax launches first multiplex in Kerala
MUMBAI: Multiplex chain operator Cinemax has launched its first multiplex property in Kerala. With this launch, Kerala also gets its first-ever and only multiplex till date.
The four-screen multiplex at Oberon Mall Kochi was launched with a special screening of Malayalam film Thantonni.
Said Cinemax India SVP Devang Sampat, “Cinemax has established its presence with a strong emphasis on screen size, picture and sound quality and innovative consumer offers, offering viewers a variety which keeps them coming back for more. The launch of our first property in Kochi is a fortification of our promise of providing a state-of-the-art entertainment experience to all movie-enthusiasts and also strengths our presence in Southern India.”
The new property is a step towards the reinforcement of Cinemax‘s commitment of providing the best of Indian and International Cinema to all its viewers across the country.
With the launch of this property, Cinemax now has 94 operational screens and is poised to take the count to 100 with its forthcoming launches in Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Baroda.
Hindi
Jio Studios, Sanjay Dutt team up to revive Khal Nayak
Rights acquired for new version, format under wraps as remake plans take shape.
MUMBAI: The villain is back and this time, he’s rewriting his own script. Jio Studios has partnered with Three Dimension Motion Pictures and Aspect Entertainment to revive the 1993 cult classic Khal Nayak, marking a fresh chapter for one of Bollywood’s most iconic anti-hero stories. The original film, directed by Subhash Ghai under Mukta Arts, was a commercial and cultural milestone, with Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of Ballu becoming one of Hindi cinema’s most memorable performances.
Dutt, along with Aksha Kamboj, has now acquired the rights from the original creators, bringing on board Jio Studios and its President Jyoti Deshpande to steer the project creatively.
While the exact format whether remake, sequel, prequel, or a completely new narrative remains undisclosed, the collaboration aims to reinterpret the story for contemporary audiences while retaining the essence that made the original a defining film of the 1990s.
The move taps into a broader industry trend of reviving legacy intellectual property, particularly characters with strong recall value. “Khal Nayak” was notable for pushing mainstream Hindi cinema into morally grey territory at a time when heroes were largely one-dimensional, making Ballu’s character a standout.
The project also marks the film production debut of Aspect Entertainment, signalling a push towards more technology-led storytelling frameworks. Meanwhile, Jio Studios continues to expand its slate, having built a library of over 200 films and series, with more than 60 titles collectively winning 500-plus awards.
For Dutt, the revival is as much personal as it is strategic, a return to a role that reshaped his career. For the industry, it is another sign that nostalgia, when paired with scale, remains a powerful box-office proposition.
Because in Bollywood, some villains never fade, they just wait for the perfect comeback.
