Hindi
The Big Cinema Expo ends on a good note
MUMBAI: The Big Cine Expo, the trade show for the cinema industry, held in Mumbai from 30 September to 1 October, turned out to be a smashing affair.
The grand inauguration saw the presence of industry leaders, including Maddock Films founder Dinesh Vijan, PVR-Inox co-CEO Alok Tandon, Big Cine Expo director Raghavendra T. (Raghav), and Galalite Screens founder Yusuf A. Galabhaiwala.
The two-day event provided a platform for local and international stakeholders to network, exchange insights, and showcase the latest innovations in cinema technology, products, and services aimed at transforming the entertainment landscape.
One of the major highlights of the expo was the exclusive screening of never-before-seen footage from Atlee’s much-anticipated upcoming film, Baby John. The film features an an all-star cast including Varun Dhawan, Jackie Shroff, Keerthy Suresh, and Wamiqa Gabbi.
Another key highlight was the Imax Big Cine Awards 2024, which celebrated outstanding achievements in the cinema exhibition industry. The awards recognised leaders and innovators across several categories. PVR Inox was honored as India’s top multiplex chain, while Mukunda from Bengaluru won best single screen theater of the year. MovieMax Cinema was awarded the title of fastest growing cinema chain, and the most talented cinema entrepreneur Award went to Akkshay Rathie, acknowledging his contributions to the industry. Ramesh Sippy was recognised with a special achievement award.
A panel discussion titled Driving Innovation in the Cinema F&B Experience brought together industry leaders to explore innovative pricing models in cinema food and beverage offerings aimed at attracting and retaining customers. The discussion focused on how cinemas can strike the right balance between creative pricing strategies and enhanced customer satisfaction, ultimately driving increased revenue and improving the overall cinematic experience.
Mukta A2 Cinemas, founded by director Subhash Ghai, announced a Rs 99 cap on all food and beverage prices to make movie outing costs more affordable for Indians. The move aims to remove one of the most common deterrents for moviegoers.
“Big Cine Expo is the world’s largest trade show dedicated to multiplexes, single-screen theaters, malls, and theatrical distribution in Asia, showcasing ground-breaking innovations. In the post-pandemic era, the cinema industry has the opportunity to reinvent itself. This year’s event emphasizes innovative productions that cater to the evolving needs of audiences, fuelled by technological advancements,” said Big Cine Expo’s Raghavendra T (Raghav).
“Big Cine Expo’s seventh edition successfully united the cinema exhibition industry, offering an excellent platform for networking and collaboration. It stands as a testament to strength and innovation, and at PVR Inox, we are proud to be part of this journey. Congratulations to the team for organizing another outstanding event and for their commitment to our industry’s growth,” said PVR Inox managing director Ajay Bijli.
Hindi
Kridhan Infra enters film production with AI-led feature film
Infra firm debuts AI-powered film marking RSS centenary
MUMBAI: Kridhan Infra Limited is swapping hard hats for headsets. The infrastructure company has announced its entry into film production and media technology through its subsidiary, Kridhan Mediatech Private Limited, with the nationwide theatrical release of Shatak: Sangh Ke 100 Varsh, an AI-led feature film.
With Shatak, the company is not just stepping into cinema but staking a claim in what it describes as one of the world’s early full-length AI-driven feature films. Artificial Intelligence has been embedded across the creative and production process, from script visualisation and environment creation to modelling and production design.
The film commemorates 100 years of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, tracing defining moments, personalities and historical phases that shaped its journey. By combining archival storytelling with algorithm-powered creativity, the project attempts to blend heritage with high technology.
For Kridhan Mediatech, this is only the opening scene. The subsidiary’s broader ambition spans AI, CGI, virtual production systems and scalable content models for both theatres and digital platforms. The move signals a strategic diversification for Kridhan Infra, traditionally rooted in engineering and construction.
The timing aligns with India’s growing push to become a global AI powerhouse. At the 2026 AI Impact Summit, prime minister Narendra Modi urged innovators to design in India and deliver to the world. Kridhan Mediatech’s initiative positions itself squarely within that narrative, aiming to export technology-enabled storytelling beyond domestic audiences.
India’s media and entertainment industry, valued at over Rs 2.5 lakh crore, alongside a rapidly expanding AI economy projected to cross Rs 1.4 lakh crore in the coming years, offers fertile ground at the intersection of cinema and code.
“With Shatak, we proudly present one of the world’s first AI-led full-length feature films while marking our strategic entry into film production and media technology through our subsidiary,” the company said in a statement. “Our vision is to combine India’s rich narrative heritage with forward-looking innovation. This is just the beginning of building globally competitive, technology-enabled cinematic experiences.”
From infrastructure to imagination, Kridhan’s latest venture suggests that in today’s India, even storytelling can be engineered.
