TRADE SHOW

Movie Trailers between presentation slots

The convention theatre is equipped with:
Projection Partner – Christie Digital
Sound & Integration Partner – GM Audio
Server & Content Partner – Qube Cinema
Screen Partner – Galalite Screens
Stage Seating Partner – Pen Workers Seating

ALL DAY CAFÉ Partnered by Pulz

BIG CINE EXPO 2025 – INAUGURAL CEREMONY

Guests of Honour:
Shri. R. Panneerselvam – General Secretary, Tamil Nadu Film Exhibitor's Association
Shri. Sandeep Mittal – Founder, TheatreWorld
Shri. Raghavendra T (Raghav) – Director, Big Cine Expo and Editor-Publisher, TheatreWorld
Shri. Yusuf Galabhaiwala – Partner, GTC Industries

Panel Discussion:

RECLAIMING THE SILVER SCREEN: WHY WOULD THE MOVIEGOERS COME TO THEATRES WHEN THEY GET IT AT HOME AFTER 4 WEEKS?

In the rapidly shifting landscape of film distribution, the battle between theatrical releases and Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming has become one of the industry’s most urgent flashpoints. With just a four-week gap between cinema premieres and digital debuts, the very viability of theatres and multiplexes hangs in the balance. Actor-producer Aamir Khan’s recent decision to reject lucrative OTT deals for Sitaare Zameen Par—insisting on a six-month exclusive theatrical run—has reignited fierce debate on the future of the big screen.

This high-stakes session will tackle the hard questions: How are shrinking release windows impacting theatrical revenues, audience loyalty, and long-term industry sustainability? Is it time for regulatory intervention to preserve the cinematic experience? As streaming giants tighten their grip, how can the theatrical industry reinvent itself—and can it still convince audiences that some stories are worth leaving home for?

Panellists:
Rahul Dhyani – Founder, Connplex Cinemas
Rahul Puri – Managing Director, Mukta A2 Cinemas
Thomas D'souza – Senior Vice President, Programming, PVR-INOX
Tushar Dhingra – Founder & MD, RAVE Cinemas
Vaishali Hanumanth – Managing Partner, DRC Cinemas (Mysore)

Moderator:
Vanita Kohli Khandekar – Columnist and Writer & Contributing Editor, Business Standard

Panel Discussion:

BRINGING BACK THE MAGIC: CAN INDIA’S SINGLE SCREENS RISE AGAIN?

India’s single-screen cinemas were once the cultural pulse of towns and small cities—where generations discovered the magic of movies. Today, many of these theatres face shuttered doors, struggling under the weight of outdated infrastructure, rising costs, dwindling footfalls, and changing audience preferences. Yet, amid the multiplex boom, is there still a future for the humble single screen? A panel of industry veterans, policymakers, content creators, and cinema owners will come together to examine whether India’s single-screen theatres can be reinvented for the 21st century. The discussion will delve into affordable digitisation solutions that allow for the modernisation of projection and sound systems without requiring heavy capital investment and explore the role of vernacular and regional content in reconnecting with grassroots audiences. Other key topics include flexible programming beyond Bollywood, improved food and beverage options, and government incentives like GST relief. The panel will also explore partnerships to create hybrid community spaces, new financing models, and success stories of reinvented single-screen theatres.

In an age of AI and OTT, reviving the single screen may seem improbable—but with the right blend of technology, cultural relevance, and local entrepreneurship, the turnaround may not just be possible—it could be profitable…

Panellists:
Chinmoy Sharma – Managing Director, Anuradha Cinema, Guwahati
Daggubati Suresh Babu – Film Producer, Suresh Productions
Kushal L C – Chief Executive Officer, Veeresh Cinemas
Prem Elangovan – Director, DNC Theatres
Suresh Shenoy – Managing Partner, Shenoy Cinemas
Vishek Chauhan – Chief Executive Officer, Roopbani Cinema

Moderator:
Akkshay Rathie – Director, Aashirwad Theatres

LUNCH

STUDIO PRESENTATION:

WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY and UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

Presenter: Denzil Dias – VP & Managing Director - India Theatrical, Warner Bros. Discovery

(Limited Seats. Assemble 15 mins earlier for security check and Mobile phone deposit)

Mobiles Off or on Silent. Strictly NO RECORDING.

Panel Discussion:

REBOOTING THE BOX OFFICE: CRACKING THE CODE FOR YOUTH, AI, AND THE HYPE MACHINE

In today’s digital-first, attention-deficit world, the fight for audiences—especially Gen Z and millennials—is fiercer than ever. With entertainment options just a tap away, the cinema industry must evolve fast to meet young viewers where they live: online, on social media, and in the middle of the next viral trend.

This high-energy session brings together studio marketers, cinema operators, creative technologists, and digital disruptors to explore one shared mission: ‘Sell More Cinema Tickets’. From AI-powered audience profiling and hyper-personalised campaigns to real-time trend-jacking and immersive fan experiences, the panel will unpack how cutting-edge technology and creative storytelling are transforming cinema marketing.

How can we turn online buzz into real-world footfalls? What actually works to grab the elusive attention of digital-native audiences? And how can AI help the industry not just keep up—but stay ahead?

If you’re in the business of putting people in seats, this is one session you can’t afford to miss.

Panellists:
Bhuvnesh Mendiratta – Managing Director, Miraj Cinemas
Denzil Dias – VP & Managing Director - India Theatrical, Warner Bros. Discovery
Devang Sampat – Managing Director, Cinépolis India
Preetham Daniel – Vice President - India, SE Asia, Korea, Aus & NZ, IMAX
Satish Kottakota – Chief Executive Officer, NY Cinemas
Sushil Chaudhary – Founder & CEO, PictureTime DigiPlex

Moderator:
Karan Taurani – Executive Vice President, Elara Capital

PANEL DISCUSSION | CURATED BY SMPTE INDIA SECTION

THE NEW FRONTIER: HDR, VDR & DIRECT VIEW DISPLAY (LED) IN CINEMAS

As cinematic experiences evolve, technologies like High Dynamic Range (HDR), Variable Dynamic Range (VDR), and Direct View Display (LED) are redefining how stories are visually experienced on the big screen. These innovations deliver brighter highlights, deeper shadows, and a more immersive viewing experience. This panel will explore the real impact versus the hype around HDR and VDR in cinema exhibition, implications for mastering and projection workflows, commercial considerations for exhibitors investing in premium technologies, and the future of standards and compatibility across platforms. Are we ready to embrace this new frontier of visual storytelling?

Introduction by:
Ujwal Nirgudkar – Chairman, SMPTE India Section & Member, Oscar Academy

Panellists:
CV Rao – Chief Technology Officer, Annapurna Studios
Ken Liew – Executive Director, Professional Services, Christie Digital Systems
Krzysztof Rene – Vice President CEMEAI, Barco Cinema
Rajiv Menon – Film Director & Cinematographer

Moderator:
Senthil Kumar – Co-founder, Qube Cinema

QUBE CINEMA - PARTNER FELICITATION

• India’s Top Multiplex Chain of the Year - PVR-INOX / Cinepolis India
• Best Multiplex Theatre of the Year - Miraj Cinemas IMAX Wadala
• Best Cinema Theatre in Tier-2 City - Palaxi Cinemas, Calicut / Connplex Cinemas, Alkapuri, Vadodara / Shetty Cinemas, Kalaburgi / Vetri E-Square, Thanjavur
• Best Single-Screen Theatre of the Year - Navina Cinema, Kolkata / Jagadamba Theatre, Visakhapatnam
• Most Unique Cinema Chain of the Year - Asian Cinemas
• Best Technology Adopter of the Year - Rajhans Cinemas, Rajhans Precia, Surat
• Innovative Technology of the Year - Movieclicks
• Emerging Cinema Chain of the Year - NY Cinemas
• Emerging Regional Cinema Chain of the Year - DNC Theatres
• Fastest Growing Cinema Chain of the Year - Mukta A2 Cinemas
• Special Recognition Award - PJ Movies, Odisha
• Most Trusted Brand - Preferred Popcorn
• Most Impactful Brand - MovieMax
• Special Achievement Award - Tirupur Subramaniam

HAPPY HOURS ON TRADE SHOW FLOOR

TRADE SHOW CLOSES FOR THE DAY

TRADE SHOW

Movie Trailers between presentation slots

The convention theatre is equipped with:

Projection Partner – Christie Digital
Sound & Integration Partner – GM Audio
Server & Content Partner – Qube Cinema
Screen Partner – Galalite Screens
Stage Seating Partner – Pen Workers Seating

ALL DAY CAFÉ Partnered by Pulz

HDR BY BARCO, POWERING EXTRAORDINARY HOLLYWOOD AND BOLLYWOOD CINEMA

Presenter: Serge Plasch, SVP Global Sales, Barco Cinema

Panel Discussion:

THE MONETISATION MIX: HOW F&B, AI, TECH AND BRAND POWER ARE REDEFINING THE CINEMA REVENUE

As cinema attendance rebounds, advertisers, brands, and cinema operators are eyeing a golden opportunity to reimagine the theatre as more than just a screen—it's now a data-rich, immersive, high-impact engagement hub. This panel explores how cinemas can unlock new revenue streams by combining AI-driven audience insights, targeted in-cinema advertising, and branded F&B experiences. From algorithm-powered ad placements and smart concession upselling to interactive brand activations during intermissions, the session will showcase how ad-tech, AI, Tech and experiential marketing are converging to transform the in-theatre environment. With the right tech stack and strategic thinking, cinemas can now deliver hyper-targeted campaigns that boost both advertiser ROI and per-patron spend—while elevating the viewer experience. This panel is a must-attend for exhibitors, F&B vendors, ad networks, and marketers looking to future-proof cinema revenue models.

Panellists:
Anish Patel – Founder & Director, Connplex Cinemas
Kunal Sawhney – COO & Business Development Head, MovieMax
Rudra Prosad Daw – VP & Business Head, SVF Cinemas
Sameer Munshi – Vice President - Operations, Miraj Cinemas
Srinivas Musham – Chief General Manager, Media Planning (On Screen), Khushi Advertising
Thomas Peace – Director of Sales, Preferred Popcorn LLC

Moderator:
Sreedhar Pillai – Trade and Entertainment Industry Analyst

LUNCH

(Lunch will be served from 12:30pm to 3:00pm)

NETWORKING ON THE TRADESHOW FLOOR

STUDIO TOUR:
1st Time in India the HDR by Barco Demo
HDR by Barco at Prasad Studios

Host:
Abhishek Prasad Akkeneni – CTO, Prasad Film Labs
Madhusudan KJ – Country Manager, Digital Cinema, Barco Cinema
Serge Plasch – SVP Global Sales, Barco Cinema

Online Registration Mandatory.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND DETAILS

Buses to depart from Chennai Trade Center at 4.30pm
People coming on their own transport can reach Prasad Studios by 4.45pm
Venue: Prasad Digital Film Lab, Arunachalam Rd, Saligramam, Chennai.

Click here for Google Location

Note: Big Cine Expo badges are mandatory to enter Prasad Digital Film Lab, retain the expo badge till the end safely.

Trade Show Closing