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.