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
Rashmika Mandanna, Shanaya Kapoor and Naila Grrewal climb IMDb’s Indian celebrity rankings
Upcoming films and returning shows are driving fan interest across Bollywood and streaming
MUMBAI: Bollywood’s popularity contest has a new weekly scorecard, and the numbers are telling. IMDb’s Popular Indian Celebrities list for this week places Shanaya Kapoor at number six, buoyed by buzz around her film Tu Yaa Main. Naila Grrewal slots in at seven on the back of the returning comedy series Maamla Legal Hai, while Rashmika Mandanna climbs to eighth, riding mounting anticipation for Cocktail 2.
The list, available exclusively on the IMDb app for Android and iOS, tracks trending Indian entertainers and filmmakers each week, drawing on data from more than 200m monthly visits to the platform worldwide.
Further down the rankings, Raaka is keeping two of its biggest names in the spotlight. Deepika Padukone holds 11th position, with Allu Arjun close behind at 13th, as the film continues to find traction with audiences.
The list offers fans a weekly pulse on who is breaking through, who is holding steady, and who is fading. It is a barometer as unsparing as the box office itself.
