PVR to open 10 additional screens in Chennai by 2016

PVR is looking to open 10 additional screens in Chennai by 2016, according to a report in the New Indian Express. The multiplex chain first made in-roads in Chennai with its seven-screen multiplex PVR Skywalk in Ampa Mall.

Speaking to the newspaper, CEO Gautam Dutta revealed that the chain will add 10 more screens to the city through two new multiplexes in Pallavaram and Grand Mall, Velachery.

A few months ago there were talks of PVR buying out Tamil Nadu’s leading multiplex chain, SPI Cinemas, but the deal fell through. The Tamil Nadu market is hot property for theatres and SPI Cinemas has always been the market leader here. SPI Cinema is very popular with the local audience. In fact, when news spread that SPI Cinemas would be sold, there was a strong online campaign against it by the audience and even some Tamil film industry celebrities.

According to the report, PVR is now waiting for the operating permit licenses to come through for the two new multiplexes to open. The strong movie culture in the state is what attracts most theatre chains. PVR will be targeting Coimbatore next in Tamil Nadu. As of now, Coimbatore's multiplex market includes Fun Cinemas and SPI Cinemas among others.