The Mexico-based multiplex chain Cinepolis, which has 49 screens in India, is planning expansion at various centres. The company plans to add 100 screens in the next six months.
Addressing presspersons here, Devang D. Sampat, Head (Strategic Initiatives), Cinepolis India Pvt Ltd, said around 100 screens of Cinepolis are under various stages of implementation.
Most of these screens would be ready for commissioning in six months. Some of these locations include Mumbai, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Pune and Hubli, he said.
Stating that Cinepolis is aggressive and bullish about Karnataka, he said more than five projects have been signed in the State. However, he did not divulge the names of the locations for these projects.
Cinepolis currently operates in Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Patna, Surat, Ludhiana, and Bhopal.
In Karnataka, Cinepolis is present in Bangalore and Mangalore. The five-screen Mangalore multiplex, which is located in City Centre Mall of Mohtisham Complexes Pvt Ltd, was opened last week.
Sampat said the first VIP screen from Cinepolis in India has been commissioned in Mangalore. He claimed that Cinepolis was the first cinema exhibitor in the world to pioneer the concept of premium and luxury movie theatres through its Cinepolis VIP brand.
Dharmaraj, Chief Executive Officer of Mohtisham Complexes Pvt Ltd, said that Cinepolis is the first FDI (foreign direct investment) in entertainment sector in Mangalore.
Giving details about City Centre Mall, he said the mall began operations in 2010 and has been attracting around 25,000 people a day.
To a query on the increasing competition in mall segment in Mangalore, S.M. Arshad, Managing Director of Mohtisham, said City Centre is located in a strategic location in the heart of the city, and it offers five-floor retail space.
He said he is not worried about the subsequent competitions in mall segment in the city, as City Centre has first-mover advantage.