Hollywood
Cinépolis to accept UPI payments through HSBC
NEW DELHI: Cinépolis, which claims to be India’s first international and the world’s fourth largest Cineplex chain, has launched a Unified Payment Interface (UPI) across all its multiplexes in the country as part of the current government’s ‘go-cashless’ and digital economy drive.
Patrons and cinema lovers can have the convenience of transaction through UPI which operates on the concept of a Virtual Payment Address (VPA).
Cinépolis is India’s first movie theatre chain where customers can pay through UPI at the offline stores. This payment solution is implemented by HSBC bank across all Cinépolis outlets.
Cinépolis India CFO Rodrigo Perez Morales said: “This will prove to be a game changer for the multiplex industry as it will lessen the cost of transactions along with a quicker checkout experience. Our patrons can now watch movies without worrying about the cash payment as UPI will smoothly allow the transition to a cashless economy by providing a unique identity (VPA) for any consumer holding a smart phone and a bank account. We are hopeful that we will have a phenomenal response and all our customers will gradually adapt to Unified Payment Interface.”
Cinépolis India director – India strategic initiatives Devang Sampat added, “With a strong drive of encouraging digital transactions, we are delighted to partner with HSBC India and launch Unified Payments Interface across all our properties. UPI allows users to send and receive money through their smartphones with the help of VPA (Virtual Payment Address). Patrons will just have to share their VPA at the booking counter and they will receive one notification on their mobile app to approve the transaction. In future, we will keep on adding new digital mode of payments at Cinépolis to give our patrons options to transact digitally.”
HSBC India managing director and head global liquidity and cash management. Divyesh Dalal said, “The UPI solution will now allow movie lovers to pay seamlessly for tickets and food and beverage across various Cinépolis locations in India thus providing a superior customer experience. It will also help to reduce the average waiting time”.
“Given the enhanced coverage, interoperability and cost dynamics of the UPI solution, we expect the acceptance of UPI-based payments to increase over time. Our UPI offering aims at providing a channel agnostic collection solution to corporates, which will enable Cinépolis to drive sales through increased digitization of flows,” he added.
The partnership between Cinépolis and HSBC India is aimed at encouraging movie patrons to increasingly transact using digital and cashless options.
UPI was launched by National Payments Corporation of India along with Reserve Bank of India to enable the consumers to make payments through their smartphones. It is basically an interface through which account holder of one bank can transfer/receive money to someone having account in same/different bank through a smartphone. There is no need for sharing each other’s bank account details. There is also no need for swiping debit/credit card, keying in your confidential PIN.
Cinépolis India started its operations in India in 2009 at Amritsar and currently operates 291 screens under the brand names of Cinépolis, Cinépolis VIP and Fun Cinemas.
Hollywood
Disney to cut 1,000 jobs in major restructuring drive
Layoffs span ESPN, studios and tech as company pivots to growth
MUMBAI: The magic isn’t disappearing but it is being reorganised. The Walt Disney Company has announced plans to cut around 1,000 jobs as part of a sweeping restructuring effort aimed at sharpening its edge in an increasingly unpredictable entertainment landscape. The move, led by CEO Josh D’Amaro, reflects a broader internal reset as the company rethinks how it operates, allocates resources and competes in a fast-evolving industry. In a memo to employees, D’Amaro acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but framed it as a necessary step to ensure Disney remains “efficient, innovative, and responsive” to rapid shifts in consumer behaviour and technology.
The layoffs will span multiple divisions, including marketing, film and television studios, ESPN, technology teams and corporate functions. Notifications have already begun, signalling that the restructuring is not a distant plan but an active transition underway.
Importantly, the company has clarified that the cuts are not performance-driven. Instead, they form part of a wider transformation strategy aimed at building a leaner, more agile organisation, one better equipped to respond to streaming dynamics, digital disruption and evolving audience expectations.
The timing is telling. The global entertainment industry is in the middle of a structural shift, with traditional television revenues under pressure and box office returns becoming increasingly volatile. Meanwhile, streaming platforms and digital-first competitors continue to redraw the rules of engagement, forcing legacy players to rethink scale, speed and storytelling formats.
For Disney, long synonymous with blockbuster franchises and timeless storytelling, the pivot is both strategic and symbolic. The company is doubling down on technology, direct-to-consumer services and content ecosystems that align with modern viewing habits, where audiences expect immediacy, personalisation and cross-platform experiences.
Even as the restructuring unfolds, D’Amaro struck a note of optimism, reiterating Disney’s commitment to creativity and long-term growth. Support measures for affected employees are expected as part of the transition, though details remain limited.
In essence, this is less about cutting back and more about reshaping forward. As Disney redraws its organisational map, the message is clear, in today’s entertainment world, even the most magical kingdoms must evolve or risk being left behind.
