Asian Cinemas to open nine more multiplex screens shortly

Asian Cinemas, a Hyderabad-based single-screen theatre and multiplex operator, is planning to open nine more multiplex screens in and around Hyderabad in the next three to four months.

Each multiplex will involve an investment of over Rs 2 crore, according to Asian Cinemas partner D Suresh Babu.

Speaking to Business Standard after launching the company's three-screen multiplex in Kukatpally today, with a total seating capacity of 1,143, Babu said the company would be opening five screens with 1,528 seats in Uppal on April 11, 2014, which would be followed by a four-screen multiplex at Attapur on the outskirts of Hyderabad by June.

The company, which started operations last year, focuses on the Nizam territory comprising the Telangana districts, which is specially targeted for box-office collections. It currently operates single-screen theatres at Hanumakonda in Warangal district, Nizamabad district and at Kapra in Rangareddy district.

"There is still potential for single-screen theatre development and hence we are looking at opening more standalone cinema halls, even as we are in the process of renovating old theatres like Lakshmi Kala and Sashi Kala, and converting Satyam Theatre at Ameerpet in Hyderabad into a multiplex. While the first property will be ready in a couple of months, the second will be up and running in two years from now," he said.