Movies
Cinepolis opens first Imax location in Kochi; fifth in India
MUMBAI: Kochi-ites can now enjoy the immersive experience that one can only get in an Imax theatre. Exhibitor Cinépolis today announced the launch of the Queen of the Arabian Sea’s first Imax theatre at Centre Square Mall. This is the ffth . This marks the fifth IMAX location for Cinépolis in India, following installations at Viviana Mall (Thane), Westend Mall (Pune), Nexus Shantiniketan (Bangalore), and Nexus Seawoods (Navi Mumbai).
Equipped with the cutting-edge Imax with laser projection system, the new screen delivers 4K projection with unparalleled image quality and stunning visuals. With a seating capacity of 229 and a stadium-style layout, the auditorium ensures every guest enjoys an unobstructed view. Complementing the immersive visuals is Imax’s patented sound system, which delivers exceptional clarity and depth, evenly distributed to elevate every moment on screen.
Said Cinépolis India managing director Devang Sampat: “Kochi is a city renowned for its love of cinema. With this launch, Cinépolis further demonstrates its commitment to technological leadership and innovation, offering audiences an elevated movie-watching experience. The addition of this premium format aligns with the evolving preferences of cinemagoers, who increasingly seek movies crafted for immersive technologies. As more filmmakers embrace these advanced formats, Imax at Cinépolis Kochi is set to redefine how the city experiences blockbuster films.”
Imax vice-president of theatre development Preetham Daniel added: “Audiences in the coastal city can soon experience the unparalleled clarity and immersive sound of Imax, just in time for our exceptional holiday film line-up and an exciting slate of Filmed For Imax titles extending through 2025.”
Centre Square Mall spokesperson Blisson Antony highlighted : “This partnership with Cinépolis elevates our positioning as the premier destination for entertainment and lifestyle in the city. We are confident that the new Imax location will be a magnet for cinephiles, offering them an unparalleled venue to enjoy the best in global and Indian cinema.”
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.
