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
Dhurandhar the revenge storms past Rs 1,000 crore in a week, rewrites box office records
Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller sets fastest run to Rs 1,000 crore with record-breaking weekday hold
MUMBAI: The box office has a new juggernaut—and it is moving at breakneck speed. Dhurandhar the revenge has smashed past the Rs 1,000 crore mark worldwide in just a week, clocking a staggering Rs 1,088 crore and resetting the rules of the blockbuster game.
Backed by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, and directed by Aditya Dhar, the spy action sequel opened to the biggest weekend ever for an Indian film globally—and then refused to slow down. Unlike typical tentpole releases that taper off after Sunday, this one powered through the weekdays with rare muscle, posting Rs 64 crore on Monday, Rs 58 crore on Tuesday, Rs 49 crore on Wednesday and Rs 53 crore on Thursday.
The numbers stack up to a formidable first-week haul. India collections stand at Rs 690 crore nett and Rs 814 crore gross, while overseas markets have chipped in Rs 274 crore, taking the worldwide total to Rs 1,088 crore in just eight days.
The film’s opening weekend alone delivered Rs 466 crore, laying the foundation for what is now being billed as the fastest climb to the Rs 1,000 crore club in Indian cinema. Every single day of its first week has set fresh benchmarks, from the highest opening weekend to the strongest weekday hold—metrics that typically separate hits from phenomena.
A sequel to the earlier hit Dhurandhar, the film has not just built on its predecessor’s momentum but obliterated previous records, emerging as the biggest global blockbuster run by an Indian film to date.
At this pace, the film is not merely riding a wave—it is creating one.
