Multiplexes in India: Building Castles in a Low-income Market of Uneven Geographies Cover Image

Multiplexes in India: Building Castles in a Low-income Market of Uneven Geographies
Multiplexes in India: Building Castles in a Low-income Market of Uneven Geographies

Author(s): Sreeram Gopalkrishnan
Subject(s): Film / Cinema / Cinematography, History of Art
Published by: Uniwersytet Adama Mickiewicza
Keywords: Indian Film Business; Multiplex; Bottom of the Pyramid; Low Price; Film Distribution; Film Experience

Summary/Abstract: The Indian film industry produces the highest number of movies in the world, in various languages, and casts a large shadow of influence on the socio-cultural landscape of the country. However, in terms of box-office value as a share of the total entertainment pie in India, films are a minor segment in a market with vast potential. The pandemic of 2020 drastically changed the fragile dynamics of the already-struggling film distribution and screening sector. Over the years, the Indian film business has staked its future on a business model forged around the “Mall-Multiplex” complex in a country that is mostly low-income or bottom of the pyramid (BoP). This exploratory article, with the help of existing data on theatre screen seats and high-potential population geographies, endeavours to understand India’s existing film entertainment business and sets out to spot the opportunities available for the low-priced film business as a value proposition.

  • Issue Year: 32/2022
  • Issue No: 41
  • Page Range: 165-180
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: English