Daybreak Why PVR Inox wants to run its cinemas like hotels
Nov 18, 2025
PVR INOX is celebrating a surprising profit turnaround after grappling with heavy losses. With over 40 million attendees, they aim to boost low occupancy by expanding into non-metro markets like Gangtok. Interestingly, they're adopting a hotel-like franchise model, shifting costs to partners while managing the brand. This strategy is designed to free up capital and mitigate risks. However, challenges remain as structural pressures from COVID and OTT platforms cast shadows on the future of cinema.
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Profit Turnaround Masks Low Occupancy
- PVR Inox swung from losses to a ₹100 crore profit as footfalls rose 15% to 40 million.
- Yet occupancy still lingers below 25–30%, showing revenue gains without full seat recovery.
New Screens In Tier-2, Plus Gangtok Debut
- PVR opened its first theatre in Gangtok and added screens in Raipur and Jabalpur as part of tier-2/3 push.
- That expansion raised total screens to over 1,700, including nine in Sri Lanka.
Use Asset-Light Expansion To Free Cash
- Shift capital burden to partners so the company can expand asset-light.
- Use franchise and co-development deals to free cash and scale into new markets.