MULTIPLEX @INDIA

BIG Cinemas is cUrrently the largest cinema chain in India. It was previously known as Adlabs Cinemas. Adlabs was founded in 1978 by Manmohan Shetty as a film processing unit. In 2001, Adlabs entered the multiplex business by launching India's first IMAX theatre in Wadala, Mumbai. The company expanded by converting single-screen cinema halls into multiplexes like the famous Metro Adlabs in Mumbai. In 2005, Adlabs was acquired by ADAG (A Group Owned by Anil Ambani).[1] In 2007, Adlabs acquired all the properties of Rave Cinemas, a cinema chain based in Kanpur.[2]

The company recently acquired majority interest in Malaysia-based Lotus Five Star Cinemas, and will be operating a 51 screen cinema chain in Malaysia. The international network, in addition to Malaysia, also includes 220 screens covering the East, Mid West and West Coast of USA as also Mauritius and Nepal. Currently, Adlabs operates 70 properties and 181 screens in more than 40 cities across India.[3] Adlabs commands a significant presence in Mumbai and Maharashtra.[4]
The chain recently signed a deal with Phoenix Mills for the country’s largest multiplex cinema at the upcoming Phoenix Market City in Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai. The 140,000 sq ft m2). multiplex will have 15 screens and over 4000 plus seats.[5]Recently, the cinema chain was re-branded as BIG Cinemas.[6The Cineplex has 2380[1] seat capacity and six cinema screens, the latest of which is Serene. TechnologyIn May 2005, Sathyam theatre became the first and only cinema theatre in India to utilise Texas Instruments' Digital Light Processing(DLP) technology.[2]

To inaugurate the introduction of the RDX(TM) technology at the Sathyam screen, a major city-wide campaign was launched, which coincided the worldwide release of Star Wars Episode III. isbecame the first movie to be projected using the Digital technology. ExpansionIn January 2006, Kiran Reddy, the Managing Director of Sathyam Cinemas told The Hindu that major expansion plans are in the offing.[3] The existing 6screenoplex would be expanded to accommodate 2 more screens while two new complexes - one in Kilpauk, on Poonamalee High Road and the other in Vadapalani.