Movies
Cinema exhibition chain Carnival Cinemas in talks to raise equity
Mumbai: Mumbai-based cinema exhibition chain Carnival Cinemas is in the initial stages of raising equity of Rs 400 crore, as per a report by Hindi Businessline. Carnival Cinemas is the second-largest theatre chain after PVR-Inox with 450 screens present nation-wide.
The cinema chain is in talks with its sole lender Yes Bank as well as public and private equity funds to raise money to expand to another 118 screens. The entity is expected to make a formal announcement of the fund raise in 60-90 days.
The company owned by Dr. Shrikant Bhasi, always had plans for further expansion, especially after the record revenues of 2020. They have waited for the resolution of the pandemic before introducing private equity investors.
According to a source, “To raise funds, Carnival Cinemas worked with Yes Bank, with whom they have a long-standing relationship, whereby the bank has always supported and believed in the business. Yes Bank has started its process to take equity and enable Carnival Cinemas to move towards its vision of 1,000 screens.”
An official from Carnival Cinemas who refused to be named stated, “We are the market leaders in tier III and tier IV markets and are the only mass cinema chain in India whose vision is to open and operate a large number of screens. This debt restructuring would close within 60-90 days.”
Movies
Amay Mehrishi’s short film Abracadabra premieres at Berlinale 2026
London Film School project screens in Generations Kplus at Berlin festival.
MUMBAI: Sometimes the biggest stories unfold in the smallest spaces. In this case, on a school bus. Emerging filmmaker Amay Mehrishi made his international debut with the short film Abracadabra, which premiered at the 76th edition of the Berlin International Film Festival in the Generations Kplus section. The film was developed as Mehrishi’s Master’s graduation project at the London Film School.
Set entirely during a single ride home on a moving school bus, the story centres on twelve year old Agastya, whose day takes an unexpected emotional turn when his best friend Naman chooses to sit somewhere else. What begins as a seemingly small moment slowly unfolds into a delicate exploration of childhood friendship, identity and guilt.
A simple magic trick threads through the narrative, giving the film its title while quietly tying together the emotional shifts that unfold during the journey. The storytelling leans on observation and restraint, capturing the fragile inner world of growing up without grand gestures.
Filming the project came with its own creative constraints. The entire production took place inside a bus in motion and featured 32 young non actors aged between seven and thirteen, bringing a naturalistic feel to the film’s classroom like ensemble.
The world premiere at Berlinale received warm applause from a multi generational audience. Several viewers shared that the film evoked memories of their own childhood journeys and friendships.
Mehrishi described the festival premiere as a major milestone in his early filmmaking career.
“With its world premiere at Berlinale, our film received an immense platform and a global audience to begin its journey. It is a dream as a filmmaker to be considered for such a prestigious festival, and hopefully it will open doors for the entire team,” he said.
Following the debut, Mehrishi has begun developing a satirical drama and has also started research on his first feature film, with plans to work across both independent and commercial cinema in the coming years.
