INOX Multiplex opens

INOX theatre comes to Bangalore

The Hindu

It is a five-screen multiplex with ticket prices ranging between Rs. 59 and Rs. 120


BANGALORE: Here is some good news for the movie buffs. INOX, the national multiplex, has launched the five-screen multiplex theatre at Garuda Mall with a total seating capacity of 1,103 and will be open to the public on August 5. It is the city's third major multiplex.

Speaking to presspersons, the CEO of INOX Leisure Ltd., Manoj Bhatia, said Bangalore was the seventh multiplex in their chain and the theatre aims at providing a new dimension to the city's entertainment scene. For the price of tickets costing up to Rs. 150, the theatre-goers will of course, expect the best.

Outlining statistics on Indian films and theatres, he said that about 855 films are produced annually fetching around Rs. 500 crores and this is expected to grow. At present there are 12,900 movie halls but the requirement is as high as 20,000.

Most of the theatres come with a retail cum multiplex model as 50 per cent of the movie patrons shop or walk through the mall before or after watching a movie.

Mr. Bhatia said that Rs. 11.5 crores has been invested on the multiplex and the tickets are priced between Rs. 59 and Rs. 120. Their future plans include launching multiplex theatres at Jaipur, Chennai, Indore, Lucknow and Hyderabad. Mr. Bhatia said that INOX will have a fully automated box office with computerised ticketing system. People can avail this ticket booking facility by sending an SMS to 303030. Designed by New Zealand-based architects, INOX has seen a growth from Rs. 16.05 crores in 2002-03 to Rs. 62 crores in 2004-05.