GECs
Pyramid Saimira to form JV for 100 malls, plans to raise Rs 4 billion
MUMBAI: Chennai-based theatre chain company Pyramid Saimira will enter into a 40:60 joint venture with a leading real estate company for setting up 100 malls entailing an investment of Rs 60 billion.
The buzz is that Pyramid will sign the deal with IVRCL Infrastructure and Projects Ltd. “We are in talks with three leading real estate developers including IVRCL but haven’t concluded anything yet. All the three are listed companies,” says Pyramid Saimira Theatre Ltd. managing director PS Saminathan.
Pyramid Saimira will raise around Rs 4 billion through a foreign currency convertible bond (FCCB) or a qualified institutional placement (QIP) as its share of funding for the project. “We could even go for a mix of both FCCB and QIP. We have no debt in the company and can leverage our cash balance. The equity dilution will be around 5-6 per cent,” says Saminathan.
Pyramid will set up a special purpose vehicle for the project. The company has identified 700 locations in South India, out of which 200 it has found feasible for sustaining a multiplex or mall. In West Bengal it will have 15 locations for its malls and multiplexes, four of which will be in Kolkata. “Every location should be able to generate Rs 500 million from the second year of operations for it to be viable,” says Saminathan.
The plan is to have 300 screens through this venture. The malls, covering 20-25 million square feet of space, will be spread across the southern states of India and West Bengal. “We will have 50 per cent of the malls dedicated for the entertainment sector,” says Saminathan.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
