PVR INOX

PVR INOX Limited

Company type	Public
Industry	Entertainment (Multiplex cinema operator)
Predecessor	PVR Cinemas, INOX Leisure Limited
Founded	1995 (as PVR Cinemas joint venture)
Headquarters	Gurgaon , India
Area served	India, Sri Lanka
Key people	Ajay Bijli (Chairman and Managing Director), Sanjeev Kumar Bijli (Executive Director)
Products	Multiplex cinema exhibition, film distribution (PVR INOX Pictures)
Number of employees	~1,500 (INOX Leisure, 2022)
Website	www.pvrinox.com

PVR INOX Limited emerged in 2023 as a leading Indian multiplex operator following the consolidation of PVR Cinemas and INOX Leisure Limited.<ref>PVR initiated the multiplex trend in India by unveiling the nation’s first multiplex in 1997 at Vasant Vihar, New Delhi. In 2022, PVR Cinemas celebrated 25 years of operation.<ref> By December 2024, PVR INOX managed 1,749 screens across 355 venues spanning 111 cities in both India and Sri Lanka.<ref> In February 2025, the company achieved its strongest quarterly results in over a year, recording record advertising revenue.<ref>

PVR Cinemas

The roots of PVR Cinemas can be traced back to Taklia Cinema located in Vasant Vihar, Delhi, originally named after Priya Jaisinghani and acquired by Ajay Bijli’s father in 1978. Ajay Bijli assumed control in 1988, modernized the theatre in 1990, and leveraged this success to establish PVR Cinemas.

Founded as a joint venture between Priya Exhibitors Private Limited and Australia’s Village Roadshow in 1995 with a 60:40 ownership split, commercial operations commenced in June 1997 under the name Priya Village Roadshow. Ajay Bijli holds the position of chairman and managing director, while his brother Sanjeev Kumar Bijli serves as Executive Director of PVR INOX Limited. The company also maintains an active corporate social responsibility program. After Village Roadshow exited the partnership, ICICI Ventures invested ₹40 crore in 2003. The first PVR Gold Screen debuted at Forum Mall, Bengaluru.

PVR was listed on both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in 2006.

By 2007, PVR ventured into film production through PVR Pictures, delivering films such as 'Taare Zameen Par' and 'Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na'.

In 2012, PVR collaborated with IMAX to introduce India's inaugural IMAX theatre experience in Bengaluru, eventually expanding to operate 21 IMAX screens across the country.

INOX Leisure

INOX Leisure, also known as INOX Movies, was an Indian multiplex chain based in Mumbai. Established as a public limited entity in November 1999, it functioned under the umbrella of the INOX Group (Industrial Oxygen). Operations began in 2002 with four-screen multiplexes launched in Pune and Vadodara, followed by expansion into cities including Kolkata, Goa, and Mumbai by 2004.

The company went public in 2006 by issuing 165 million equity shares priced at ₹120 each. That year, it acquired 89 Cinemas from Calcutta Cinema Private Ltd through a share exchange deal, adding nine multiplexes located in West Bengal and Assam. Subsequent growth included entry into markets such as Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, among others.

INOX enhanced its footprint by fully acquiring Satyam Cineplexes Limited for ₹182 crores, securing multiplex locations within NCR, Mysuru, and other areas.

Focusing on sustainability, INOX pioneered India’s first solar-powered cinema at its Metro INOX venue in Mumbai in 2018. By 2021, electric vehicle charging points were installed at multiplexes situated in Pune and Vadodara.

As of December 2022, INOX operated a network of 170 multiplexes featuring 722 screens across 74 cities nationwide. The company employed around 1,500 personnel and owned subsidiaries such as Fame Cinemas and Satyam Cineplex. The merger with PVR Cinemas was completed in March 2023, strengthening its leadership position within India’s entertainment sector.

Post-merger Developments

In February 2024, the company introduced India's inaugural standalone IMAX theatre featuring 4K laser projection technology at the EROS INOX IMAX Cinema. This involved renovating the historic 86-year-old Eros Cinema located in Churchgate, Mumbai, which accommodates 305 patrons.

By April 2024, the firm launched its first megaplex in South India at Bengaluru’s Phoenix Mall of Asia. This complex comprises 14 screens with an overall seating capacity of 1,997. The megaplex includes a multi-sensory MX4D auditorium, a large-format ScreenX theatre, three luxury viewing formats, and nine premiere auditoriums furnished with celebrity-style plush recliners. While MX4D delivers an immersive 4D cinematic experience, ScreenX offers expansive 270-degree visuals.

Headquarters

The corporate headquarters is situated at Block A, 4th Floor, Building No.9A, DLF Cyber City Phase III, Gurgaon.

CineMAX

Cinemax India Ltd managed 138 screens across 39 venues in prominent Indian cities including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Kanpur, Bhopal, and Nashik. Initially owned by the Kanakia Group, it was acquired by Cine Hospitality Private Ltd, a subsidiary of PVR Cinemas. After the acquisition for Rs 395 crore in 2012, Cinemax locations were progressively rebranded under the PVR Cinemas banner.

DT Cinemas

In May 2016, PVR Cinemas acquired DT Cinemas from the DLF Group for ₹500 crore. Following this acquisition, all DT Cinemas properties were rebranded as PVR venues.

SPI Cinemas

SPI Cinemas began as the Royal Theatre in Chennai in 1974 and was later taken over by the Kiran Reddy family before evolving into Sathyam Cinemas. In August 2018, PVR purchased SPI Cinemas for ₹850 crore and subsequently rebranded its theatres under the PVR name.

INOX Leisure Limited

On 27 March 2022, INOX announced its merger with PVR Cinemas, then India’s largest multiplex operator. The Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal sanctioned this merger on 12 January 2023. By February 2023, the combined entity emerged as India’s largest multiplex chain with new sites branded as 'PVR Inox,' while existing locations retained their original names. Following the merger, the company was renamed PVR INOX Ltd., making it the fifth largest publicly listed multiplex chain worldwide by screen count.

PVR INOX has outlined plans to open approximately 150 new screens during FY24 with an investment close to ₹500 crore. Expansion efforts are focused on Tier 3 and Tier 4 cities to extend beyond traditional Tier 1 and Tier 2 urban markets. For FY25, the company targets adding around 120 new screens while closing about 60–70 underperforming ones; nearly 40% of these new additions will be concentrated in less saturated South Indian markets. By Q3 FY24-25, PVR INOX had launched 77 additional screens.

As of December 2024, PVR INOX operates a network of 1,749 screens spread over 355 properties across 111 cities in India and Sri Lanka.

Luxe Cinemas

Luxe is a premium multiplex comprising 11 screens located at Phoenix Marketcity, Chennai, originally owned by Jazz Cinemas. INOX acquired Luxe in October 2022 before merging it with PVR in 2023.

PVR Inox Pictures

PVR INOX Pictures serves as the distribution division of PVR Inox Ltd. Previously operating under the name PVR Pictures, it adopted its current identity following the merger with INOX Leisure.

2021

In October 2021, PVR joined forces with the film RRR for a promotional campaign, temporarily renaming more than 170 multiplex locations in over 70 cities as PVRRR after the movie's release in March 2022. The company also introduced a unique NFT series comprising approximately 300 digital collectibles, which included autographed posters and movie memorabilia. Furthermore, in November 2021, Kotak Mahindra Bank and PVR launched India's inaugural co-branded movie debit card.

2022

By June 2022, PVR collaborated with Ice Theatres, a French premium cinema operator affiliated with CGR Theatres, to establish upscale theatres within India. Additionally, PVR partnered with Maruti Suzuki to unveil a 270-degree cinematic advertising experience utilizing 3D Projection Mapping technology on theatre sidewalls.

Moreover, PVR enhanced its alliance with Cinionic, a provider of laser cinema solutions, outfitting all its screens with Barco Series 4 4K laser projectors. This achievement made PVR the first cinema chain in India to feature a complete lineup of 4K RGB laser projection.

In the same year, PVR secured an exclusive deal with Visa, the official payment technology partner of FIFA, to present ‘FIFA World Cup 2022™ Viewing Parties’ at 11 venues across eight cities.

2023

Throughout 2023, PVR hosted the Oscars Film Festival by showcasing acclaimed films nominated for the 94th Academy Awards. The company also partnered with INGKA Centers—part of IKEA’s retail operator INGKA Holding—to inaugurate a nine-screen multiplex within their forthcoming Gurgaon facility. Additionally, PVR INOX collaborated with Bollywood star and environmental advocate Bhumi Pednekar to raise awareness about climate change.

In November 2023, PVR INOX Ltd broadcasted the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup final between India and Australia live from Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, across 150 cinemas spanning 60 cities nationwide.

2024

In January 2024, PVR INOX teamed up with Aaj Tak to live stream the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony in more than 160 cinemas across upwards of 70 Indian cities. The company also aired the Republic Day parade on India’s 75th Republic Day in partnership with Aaj Tak, reaching audiences in 30 cinemas across 16 cities.

By April 2024, PVR INOX allied with Miraj Entertainment Ltd to broaden IMAX availability in smaller Indian towns, including launching new IMAX theatres in Mumbai (opened November 2024) and Jaipur.

In May 2024, PVR INOX established a strategic collaboration with Devyani International Limited—a prominent quick service restaurant operator—to develop and manage food courts within shopping malls as part of expanding their market footprint.

In October 2024, PVR INOX appointed Khushi Advertising as its exclusive partner for cinema advertising sales in South India to bolster its advertising operations in that region.

PVR Gold Screen

PVR introduced its inaugural "Gold Screen" concept in Indore during 2007, catering to upscale moviegoers by offering an elevated cinematic experience.

PVR Superplex

In 2014, PVR launched the Superplex concept in Noida, comprising 15 screens that included IMAX, 4DX, Gold Class, a dedicated playhouse, and standard auditoriums. The company allocated ₹48 crores for this initiative and collaborated with FRIENDS CINEMA to broaden its market presence.

IMAX (with Laser)

PVR provides the IMAX with Laser format, which features high-definition visuals on expansive screens combined with steep stadium seating, offering a markedly superior viewing experience compared to traditional 35 mm film projection.

PVR Playhouse

Designed for families, PVR Playhouse showcases children’s films and animated features while offering child-friendly facilities such as slides, bean bags, and cushioned rubber seats. This format is available in major metropolitan areas including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Indore, and Mumbai.

PVR 4DX

In 2016, PVR became the second cinema chain in India to introduce the 4DX immersive technology after Cinépolis.

PVR ICE

PVR Cinemas debuted the ICE Theatres format in 2022 within the Delhi NCR, marking the first introduction of ICE technology in both India and the Asia Pacific region.

P[XL]

The PXL Screen by PVR elevates the cinematic experience through larger-than-standard screens, enhanced seating comfort, and premium audio-visual systems, positioning it among India’s elite large screen formats.

PVR INOX Passport

Passport: To encourage higher footfall at cinemas, PVR INOX rolled out the PVR INOX Passport subscription service in October 2023. Priced at ₹699 monthly, it permitted subscribers up to 10 movie visits on weekdays each month.

Passport 2.0: Building on initial success, Passport 2.0 was launched in March 2024 at ₹349 per month, allowing four weekday movie visits. Within two weeks of reopening enrollment by April 2024, over 50,000 subscriptions had been sold.

For PVR INOX

• 2023 - Afaqs Brand Storyz Award for 'Best Campaign of the Year (Multimedia)'
• 2023 - Recognized as India’s Top Multiplex Chain by Screen Count and honored as Best Technology Adopter of the Year at Big Cine Expo Awards

INOX Leisure

• 2005 - Awarded 'ICICI Entertainment Retailer of the Year'
• 2006 - Recipient of TAAL Multiplexer Award
• 2007 - Named Emerging Superbrand of the Year
• 2016 - Best Technology Adopter of the Year at Big Cine Expo Awards
• 2017 - Entertainment Retailer of the Year at India Retail Forum

For PVR Cinemas

• 2016 - ‘Most Admired Retailer of the Year’ by Images Retail
• 2017 - ‘International Exhibitor of the Year’ at CineAsia
• 2017 - India’s Top Multiplex Chain by Screen Count at Big Cine Expo
• 2017 - ‘Dream Company to Work for – Entertainment’ (Asia Edition)
• 2018 - Ranked 28th in Dream Companies to Work for (7th Edition)
• 2018 - Awarded ‘Best Tech Award supporting Energy Efficiency’ at Future of Energy Management Summit & Awards
• 2019-2021 - Honored as ‘Most Outstanding Company in India’ within media sector by Asiamoney Asia’s Outstanding Companies Poll
• 2021 - PVR Nest received Indian Achiever’s Forum Brand Impact Award
• 2021 - IMAGES Most Admired Retailer-Entertainment at Images Retail Awards
• 2022 - IMAGES Most Admired Multiplex Operator of the Year at Images Retail Awards
• 2022 - Named India’s Top Multiplex Chain of the Year at Big Cine Awards
• 2022 - CSR Journal Excellence Award in Health and Sanitation Category at NSE Mumbai
• 2022 - PVR NEST recognized with Sabera Award for Innovative Development Sector Project
• 2023 - Received Rising Star Award in Fortune India's annual list of top 500 emerging companies

See also

• PVR INOX Pictures
• Ajay Bijli

External links

• Official website of PVR Cinemas
• Official website of INOX Movies