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Time of India

New multiplex launches to boost Kochi's entertainment sector

Kochi: The entertainment sector will receive a major boost with several multiplex theatres expected to come up in the city and its suburbs soon. Besides the existing more than half-a-dozen major multiplex theatres in different shopping malls, at least four more multiplex theatres will come soon. A noted theatre group based in Kochi will launch a new four-screen multiplex at Kakkanad soon, and another multiplex will be opened in an upcoming major shopping mall at Willingdon Island. A four-screen multiplex theatre will come up at Cochin International Airport Ltd (Cial) in Nedumbassery, and a new multiplex will be opened on Chittoor Road soon. A new multiplex is proposed as part of Chithranjali project in Kakkanad. The twin theatres of Lulu and Mymoon, which closed down 15 years ago, on Chittoor Road will be reopened within four months. They will be revived as a multiplex theatre by Lulu Group in collaboration with PVR Cinemas. The theatre complex is situated on around 2 acres of prime land. Mohanlal's 'Mahasamudram' was the last major release at the theatre. The new project will be a standalone theatre project by PVR group with four to five screens, including a PIXL screen, it is learned. HiLITE will set up its screens at its Boulevard project near Thoppumpady under its own theatre brand 'Palaxi Cinemas'. The new multiplex to come up at Cial's proposed mall in the airport compound is in the initial stage of discussions. "Cinema halls, both multiplexes and traditional theatres, have successfully drawn substantial audiences over the last year, contributing to the rapid expansion of multiplexes across urban areas. While multiplex operators face significant challenges and losses in various states due to film industry difficulties, their operations in Kerala continue to generate substantial profits," said K Vijayakumar, president of Film Exhibitors United Organisations of Kerala (Feuok). Besides new ones, many theatres are planning major facelifts in the coming months. There are reports of Dolby Laboratories planning to launch Dolby Cinema Screens at an existing multiplex theatre in Fort Kochi. One of the oldest theatre complexes in the city, Saritha, Savitha and Sangeetha, is under renovation and will be modernised soon. In Dec last year, Cinepolis opened the first Imax screen in Kochi, at Centre Square Mall on MG Road. The theatre, with seating for 229, has 4K laser projection and a patented sound system. "The multiplexes boom indicates an increase in city's economic growth. Kochi has the highest number of screens, and new theatres opening is expected to give a boost to the city's growth as the capital of Mollywood," said Arjun Prakash of Kochi Next Forum collective. The growth of malls has often been closely tied to the rise of multiplexes, as both benefit from increased visitor traffic. Notably, several once-prestigious malls across the state that lack multiplexes are now struggling, with top retailers shutting down. As the middle class continues to grow, more multiplexes are likely to emerge in the city and its suburbs. However, the key to their sustained success lies in the consistent performance of the films they screen. **Info Box** Now Showing Major Cinemas - PVR at Lulu Mall - Shenoy's Multiplex - PVR Multiplex at Oberon Mall - Vanitha Vineetha Complex - Pan Cinemas, Nucleus Mall - Cinepolis Centre Square Mall, MG Road - PVR Forum Mall, Maradu Upcoming Projects - Magic Frames, Kakkanad - Chithranjali, Kakkanad - PVR Lulu Mymoon, Chittoor Road - Cial Mall multiplex, Nedumbassery - HiLITE Boulevard, Willingdon Island