Event Coverage
New ‘revelation’ on multiplex role
MUMBAI: It’s a new ‘revelation’. Multiplexes, digital cinema and electronic cinema are going to play a crucial role in the future of film entertainment business in India. And with the multiplex already proving its worth, digital and electronic cinema is just a tad behind in reaching that ‘revelation’ level too. The FICCI Frames session on ‘Cine-matrix-The modern multiplex in India’ saw experts analysing various patterns of the film entertainment business in India.
While IMAX theatre Systems VP John Schreiner offered his views on IMAX theatres differentiating multiplexes and development Adlabs Films Ltd MD Manmohan Shetty discussed digital cinema in India. Prana Consultancy’s Tim O’Brien spoke on the dynamics of digital cinema and E-City Entertainment India CEO Atul Goel explained the important factors in the future multiplex.
Speaking on the IMAX business, Schreiner pointed out that Russia and India were developing at a record pace in that segment. He said in India the infrastructure boom was the driving force behind the ‘multiplex madness’.
Opening the session, Shetty pointed out the significance of the multiplex business in India saying 2005 will see an investment of Rs 150 crore in the multiplex business alone. Elaborating on the digital cinema business model, Shetty stressed the significance of the satellite delivery method. Attracting investments from theatre owners was a major issue. Citing the various technologies prevailing in the segment, he said a compatible technological platform is important for making digital cinema universally acceptable.
Atul Goel discussed a study E-City had done in association with AC Nielsen in to analyse the entertainment consumption pattern. The study showed that multiplexes are clearly SEC A hub. Another key finding of the study was the high student patronage. Also, 60 per cent of the visitors owned plastic money like credit card or debit cards. Eighty-one per cent visited the multiplexes to watch movies. To a query on the potential of retail business in multiplexes, Goel said 40 to 45 per cent of Fun Republic’s 2004-2005 revenues were driven by non-ticket sales.
He listed the potential marketing tools that would drive the multiplex business in India as interactivity, more promos during weekends, formulation of combo products and building loyalty programmes around immediate redemption.
O’Brien in his speech summarised global digital cinema trends and developments. He explained the advantages for directors, distributors, exhibitors and audience while dealing with digital cinema. Speaking about the need for a single technological standard for digital cinema, he said a US organisation called Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) was working on this front. “This means a lot for studios and theatre owners,” O’Brien said. He said a low RoI due to low ticket rates would be one main challenge in the progress of digital cinema in India.
O’Brien identified the increase in urban development and a growing middle class segment as two major factors that would contribute to the development of multiplexes and digital cinema in India. He cited a struggling broadband scenario in India as one major factor that would contribute to the multiplex business here. “Because of a not very encouraging broadband scenario, multiplexes will continue to be an ideal platform for entertainment,” he said.
Event Coverage
Anime India announces Amazon MX Player as co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata 2026
MUMBAI: Riding high on the success of its blockbuster Mumbai debut, Anime India is accelerating its nationwide expansion with the announcement of Amazon MX Player as the co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata. The partnership marks a significant step forward in the festival’s mission to deliver large-scale, accessible, and fan-first anime experiences across the country.
Scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2026 at the iconic Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Anime India Kolkata will launch the first regional chapter of what is set to be a year-long, multi-city tour. As the curtain-raiser for the 2026 circuit, the Kolkata edition aims to fuse the energy of global Japanese pop culture with India’s fast-growing community of anime, manga, and pop-culture fans.
A household name in digital entertainment, Amazon MX Player brings unmatched reach and cultural relevance to the Anime India platform. With its expanding focus on anime and youth-driven content, Amazon MX Player’s involvement as co-presenting partner reinforces Anime India’s vision of making anime culture more inclusive breaking barriers of language, geography, and accessibility to connect with fans nationwide.
Anime India Kolkata 2026 will showcase cosplay competitions, interactive zones led by the Indian Gunpla Community, India-39 Vocaloid Community, The Japan Curry, and Adda-o-Otaku by The Otaku Guild. Fans can join tournaments across fighting games, Pokémon VGC, and more. Acclaimed Japanese director Susumu Mitsunaka (Haikyu!!) will attend as guest of honour, appearing in panels and live sessions. Positioned as an immersive celebration of fan culture and industry collaboration, the Kolkata edition marks the beginning of Anime India’s nationwide expansion.
Sharing their perspective on the partnership, Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani expressed, “Anime in India has evolved from a niche interest into a mainstream cultural movement, driven by an increasingly engaged and passionate fanbase. At Amazon MX Player, our focus is on expanding access by bringing anime to audiences across the country for free and in multiple local languages. Our association with Anime India reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of anime in India and deepening connections with fans, while continuing to build Amazon MX Player as a trusted destination for free, high-quality entertainment.”
“Anime India Kolkata is a celebration of how anime has grown beyond entertainment into a powerful cultural and creative force. By bringing fans, creators, and industry leaders onto one shared platform, the festival is helping define the future of pop culture in India,” said Anime India co-founder and director Neha Mehta.
The debut edition of Anime India 2025 in Mumbai attracted over 29,000 fans, quickly cementing its status as a landmark celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture. Riding on this overwhelming response, the Kolkata chapter is projected to draw more than 40,000 visitors across two days, positioning it as one of the biggest anime conventions ever held in eastern India.
Anime India is focused on bringing together fans from across the country to create a truly pan-India celebration of anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture. With plans to expand into four key metropolitan hubs in 2026—east (Kolkata), north (Delhi), west (Mumbai), and south (Hyderabad)—the festival seeks to deliver globally benchmarked experiences while supporting and uplifting creators, artists, and fan communities throughout India.
