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IMAX in India: High Costs Stall Expansion
10 Aug
Summary
- Each IMAX screen costs Rs. 10-11 crores to build.
- India has only 34 IMAX theatres currently.
- More local content is needed for IMAX investment.
The expansion of IMAX technology in India faces significant hurdles due to the substantial cost of each auditorium, estimated at Rs. 10-11 crores. Currently, India has a limited number of IMAX screens, with the PVR INOX chain operating 26 out of the nation's total 34. This scarcity has become apparent with the success of films like 'The Odyssey,' which garnered over Rs. 70 crores in IMAX alone.
Sanjeev Kumar Bijli of PVR INOX explained that while IMAX is a vital format that cannot be ignored, its high price necessitates a greater return on investment. For IMAX to thrive in India, a more robust pipeline of local content, including Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu films, is essential. Bijli noted that the success of IMAX films is currently inconsistent, with some Hollywood releases performing well while others do not meet expectations.
Therefore, comfort in investing further in IMAX technology hinges on filmmakers embracing the format and producing more content tailored for it. This strategic shift towards local content would not only support the expansion of IMAX but also cater to a broader audience within India.
