Chennai’s very own SPI Cinemas, fondly referred to as Sathyam Cinemas, opens its doors in Bengaluru on 9 June, with the launch of its five-screen multiplex, ‘The Cinema’ at GT World Mall in Magadi Road.
‘The Cinema’ has sleek interiors with maroon and gold panelling, chandeliers and lounge chairs, a style that SPI Cinemas has come to define. The multiplex comes with a seating capacity of 1155, featuring Gold Class and an executive Gold Class lounge.
In a press release, SPI Cinemas said: “The Cinema offers a great cinematic experience with the best of sound and projection technology that transport you into the story. All screens are equipped with 4k Projection from Barco, Harkness Clarus XC silver screens and 3D technology from Master Image. They also feature Dolby Atmos, an immersive sound experience where the sound moves around you with breathtaking realism”.
The food hall at the multiplex has been created in the same style as one of its flagship screens in Chennai – Escape. The clean and open space has a long counter for food and beverage, with LED screens affixed overhead for easy display of the menu, monitors for staff and chairs and small tables on the side.
And as anyone, who has been to any one of SPI Cinemas’ screens in Chennai will know, the experience of catching a film at its multiplexes, is really about the food that it offers patrons. While in-house popcorn is topped with different types of seasoning, it’s the menu designed by French Chef Mickael Besse that really seals the SPI Cinema movie-going experience.
“Bengalureans can expect the priority of customer services, customer friendly staff, in house bakery products, all facilities available in other SPI Cinema multiplexes,” Swaroop Reddy, President, SPI Cinemas, told The News Minute.
While The Cinema is its first venture in Karnataka, the group promises more screens in Bengaluru in the future.
Despite its late entry into a market that already has the leading players such as PVR, Inox and Cinepolis, Swaroop says: “There’s a fair bit opportunity for everyone here. Bengaluru is a big city. In the location we have, the nearest cinema is at a 3 to 5km distance. I have given ample room to play out there. It’s not an issue for new entrants coming in, as long as people value services”.
Reacting to the recent ticket cap introduced by the Karnataka government, Swaroop notes, “The cap applies to all. The game is fair for all. And we are looking at pricing aggressively. It won’t bother us at the moment.”
Gold class tickets have been priced at Rs 170 to Rs 290, while elite ticket prices start at Rs 100.
SPI Cinemas has been on an expansion drive in the south. Having opened screens at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala and Warangal in Telangana, the multiplex chain hopes to open 15 to 20 screens by the end of the year.
(This story was published in an arrangement with The News Minute.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)