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India's Cinema Shortage: More Screens Needed!
2 Nov
Summary
- India faces a critical shortage of cinema screens serving eager audiences.
- PictureTime CEO advocates for simpler regulations and single-window clearances.
- Affordable neighbourhood cinemas are key to expanding moviegoing experiences.
PictureTime CEO Sushil Chaudhary has identified a significant shortage of cinema screens across India, even in areas where audiences are eager to watch films.
He argues that India needs to prioritize creating a robust film exhibition ecosystem before focusing on film cities, emphasizing the need for more screens.
Chaudhary points to cumbersome regulations as a major barrier, with over 70 permissions sometimes required to establish a cinema, a process that can take up to two years. PictureTime has been advocating for policy changes and single-window clearances since 2018.
The company's market studies since 2015 focused on identifying population clusters with limited cinema access. Their success in Ladakh with films like '83' and 'Pathaan' demonstrated a strong audience demand in underserved regions.
PictureTime aims to operate affordable, 150-seat cinemas with monthly operating costs below ₹2 lakh and initial capital expenditure not exceeding ₹1 crore. This model prioritizes accessibility over luxury, inspired by successful budget-friendly businesses.
Chaudhary believes that increased investment in the exhibition sector is crucial for scaling up, with plans to establish clusters of cinema screens in Delhi for neighbourhood audiences and independent filmmakers.
