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Big Cine Expo 2024 to redefine cinema exhibition at NESCO
Mumbai: The seventh edition of the Big Cine Expo will take place at the Bombay Exhibition Centre (NESCO), India, from 30 September to 1 October 2024.
As per the release, it is the world’s second-largest and Asia’s largest international convention and trade show for cinema exhibitors and theatrical distributors, and is expected to be even bigger and more innovative.
The inauguration will feature industry figures like Maddock Films’ founder Dinesh Vijan, filmmaker Subhash Ghai, and PVR-INOX co-CEO Alok Tandon. A highlight of the expo will be filmmaker Atlee screening exclusive footage of his debut production ‘Baby John’ starring Varun Dhawan on day one.
Big Cine Expo remains Asia’s largest B2B platform for the multiplex and single-screen sectors. The two-day event will provide local and international stakeholders with opportunities to connect and showcase technologies, products, and services aimed at enhancing the cinema and entertainment sectors. Key partners for Big Cine Expo 2024 include Galalite, IMAX, Qube Cinema, Christie, and Warner Bros. Discovery & Universal. Attendees can expect a packed schedule of product displays, demos, studio presentations, seminars, panel discussions, awards, special screenings, launches, exclusive B2B meetings, and networking opportunities.
The IMAX Big Cine Awards 2024 will honor leaders and innovators in the cinema exhibition industry, recognizing achievements across various categories. These awards aim to celebrate excellence and creativity in the industry. With a focus on growth and innovation, the expo is expected to attract cinema operators, designers, distributors, studios, equipment manufacturers, project management professionals, and industry decision-makers from around the world.
“This exceptional event, the second-largest of its kind worldwide, is a gathering of the brightest minds in cinema exhibition,” said Big Cine Expo director Raghav. “Our goal is to offer an exclusive and premier platform for exchanging innovative ideas and industry-leading solutions that will drive the future of cinema.”
“To be in touch with technology and exhibition, which is the most important aspect for all of us who are making films: there’s so much attention to detail and a tenacious desire to push forward, and I believe the exhibition fraternity is doing just that. I feel greatly humbled to be a part of the show,” said Padma Shri film director, producer, and screenwriter Mani Ratnam.
“Domestic as well as international entities unite together, socialise, and share their thoughts. I am really looking forward to attend the event and witness some great work and some innovative concepts. Such initiatives are constructive for entrepreneurs in the cinema industry and ancillary businesses,” said Subhash Ghai.
“Big Cine Expo has yet again brought the cinema exhibition industry together with its 7th edition of Big Cine Expo. This event has always provided a great platform for networking and collaboration among the key players in our industry. Big Cine Expo has been a symbol of strength and innovation. At PVR INOX, we are proud to be part of this journey and celebrate the progress we’ve made together. Congratulations to the team for organizing another excellent event and for their dedication to the growth and success of our industry,” said PVR INOX Ltd MD Ajay Bijli.
India has long been a global leader in cinema consumption, and as the market for cinematic experiences grows, Big Cine Expo finds a fitting home in this dynamic country. Mumbai, the center of Indian cinema, has played a key role in shaping the industry, reflecting both its history and innovative approach. As a cultural and creative hub, the city provides the ideal setting for Big Cine Expo 2024, bringing together key industry figures to shape the future of cinema and entertainment in India and globally.
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PNB partners Kiwi to launch credit-enabled UPI for users
Targets 180 million customers; RuPay card offers 0.5 per cent to 1.5 per cent cashback
MUMBAI: Swipe, tap, or scan credit is quietly slipping into the rhythm of everyday payments, and Punjab National Bank wants in on the action. The state-run lender has partnered with Kiwi to roll out credit-enabled UPI payments for its 180 million customers, marking a significant push to blend traditional banking with India’s fast-evolving digital payments ecosystem.
At the centre of the collaboration is the launch of the PNB Kiwi Credit Card on the RuPay network. The card is designed with a digital-first approach, offering fully online onboarding and seamless integration with UPI, allowing users to transact via scan-and-pay while accessing credit.
The offering also brings in a rewards layer, with cashback ranging from 0.5 per cent to 1.5 per cent on online transactions, positioning the product as both a convenience play and a spending incentive.
The move comes as UPI continues to dominate India’s digital payments landscape, increasingly blurring the lines between debit-led transactions and credit access. For PNB, which operates over 10,000 branches around 60 per cent in semi-urban and rural areas, the partnership signals a targeted effort to extend formal credit to segments that have traditionally remained underserved.
The collaboration also reflects a broader industry shift, where banks and fintech platforms are converging to embed credit directly into payment flows, reducing friction while expanding access.
With RuPay credit cards gaining traction and UPI evolving beyond peer-to-peer transfers, the PNB–Kiwi tie-up positions both players at the intersection of scale, accessibility, and the next phase of digital finance in India.
