Celebrating over a two-decade journey, PVR re-opens its First Multiplex PVR SAKET (erstwhile Anupam) in a new avatar

New Delhi : PVR Limited, the largest and the most premium film exhibition company in India, announced the re-opening of its flagship multiplex property PVR SAKET (erstwhile Anupam) located at Community Centre, Saket today.

The re-opening was earmarked by a special screening of the much-awaited James Bond movie ‘No Time to Die’ for the Delhi’s Who’s Who. The 25th James Bond movie, which comes after a gap of 6 years
is Daniel Craig’s fifth and final appearance as James Bond.

As India’s first multiplex, PVR SAKET (erstwhile Anupam) has been an epitome of a modern cinema theatre in its era and has received opulent love from its viewers for over two decades. When PVR introduced the multiplex concept in India in 1997, it was rooted in ‘core Understanding of Indians’ and their love for movies. While one generation had travelled all over the world and was experiencing the best in cinema, on the other hand, there was another getting exposed to the best in global cinema due to the internet. PVR met this growing aspiration of the movie lovers by being the first to take the leap of their faith.

With its launch, the capital city discovered an insatiable appetite for cinema almost overnight. Multiplexes have brought about a revival of the ailing film industry by providing consumers, the choice of movies at varied show times, a world class ambience, cutting edge technologies, opulent comfort, indulgent refreshments, first rate hospitality, a hygienic and safe environ, all leading to a holistic family entertainment. This brought audiences back to watching movies in cinema halls, improving occupancies, ticket pricing and hence, revenues for the film industry in general.

Celebrating the legacy of the brand, Mr. Ajay Bijli, Chairman and Managing Director, PVR Ltd, said, “Crafting new experiences and innovation is in the DNA of PVR which has echoed through our every endeavour. It is a proud moment for us to finally re-open our legacy property to the audience who have been long and eagerly waiting for this. PVR SAKET is extremely close to our heart as it was the first multiplex in India where we picked up our skills and learnings in a nascent industry and marks the beginning of PVR’s journey in the movie exhibition domain. We have revamped the entire property with ultra-modern features, to live up to the expectations of today’s insightful audience. Cinema is the cheapest form of out-of-home entertainment and has stood the test of times as we continue to offer even better movie viewing experiences to our patrons.

With a huge pent-up demand from movie connoisseurs, we are ready to welcome them to our safe and secure cinemas to repose confidence in them to resume their movie going habits”.

He further added, ‘’The effects of the pandemic will take time to erase from our memory, but we are hopeful that 2021 will bring back the glory of the big-screen entertainment for audiences who have been long deprived of this opportunity while consuming entertainment at their homes as an utilitarian experience. PVR SAKET will live up to its past reputation and continue to enthrall audiences with its vibrant and delightful environment. As we look back at our humble beginning, the PVR family deserves a pat on their back for working with diligence to strengthen the brand’s presence in India. We are grateful to our patrons in supporting and inspiring us in setting new benchmarks to meet their evolving tastes and preferences.”

The multiplex business, now a significant part of the cinema exhibition industry is a huge employment generator recruiting 1000’s of people, training them and raising their standard of living. Today multiplexes have witnessed significant growth across major Indian cities, penetration in smaller towns due to rising urbanization and growing disposable incomes, ushered by the biggest revolution for Indian cinema.

The newly built multiplex is aimed at offering a distinguished movie-viewing experience to the capital’s movie enthusiasts. The multiplex has been redesigned befitting modern multiplex standards with better equipped auditoriums, visually stunning foyer, more functional concession area and elegant washrooms. In keeping pace with the changing times, PVR SAKET is engineered with the best in segment in-cinema technologies, flaunting an immersive movie viewing experience for Delhiites. Adorning the main foyer space, a unique-themed ‘Legacy Wall’ has been created to celebrate the spirit of the blockbusters screened at PVR SAKET over the years since its inception. Large continuous LED screen on main foyer ceiling and wall provides a dynamic and memorable multimedia experience to visiting PVR patrons. The property is dotted with multiple framed custom art deco artworks in the staircases, main foyer and other areas inspired by the ‘Renaissance’ theme, celebrating the legendary actors and actresses from the Indian Cinema as well as Hollywood.

With this launch, PVR Cinemas re-establishes its presence in Delhi NCR region with 155 screens in 35 properties and 265 screens across 60 properties in Northern India.

PVR SAKET features well defined interiors and an international design pattern with a 4-screen cinema theatre experience, designed with modern and premium interiors with a total seating capacity of 745. The largest auditorium can seat 302 audiences and the smallest can accommodate 93 people. All auditoriums have seating with more width and space for legroom to provide a comfortable movie viewing experience. Premium experience comes in the form of high quality and modern design recliners with leatherette upholstery, USB Charger, swivel table for dine in convenience and reclining motor mechanism for utmost comfort. The auditoriums are powered by Christie 4K projectors that deliver ultra-high resolution, cleanest, sharpest and brightest images possible. The Audis have Clarus and Perlux Screens from Harkness, the world’s leading screen Technology Company. While Clarus screens create visibly deeper 3D content for a more captivating and immersive viewing experience, Perlux screens provide outstanding brightness, ultra-wide viewing angles, improved uniformity and superior colour for an improved presentation quality. For an unparalleled surround sound experience, the property hosts advanced immersive in-theatrical technological solutions like Dolby ATMOS sound with pro-ribbon HF. This combination truly allows crystal-clear, high-definition immersive audio with perfect intelligibility and no distortion, even at high volume level.

Inspirationally carved to offer some of the unique gourmet experience to discerning palates, PVR SAKET chefs have taken on a dash of modern cuisine over traditional movie snacks. Apart from the cinema staples, island show kitchens spread over two levels expose customers to witness trained hands with creative mind-set rolling pizzas or pasta or even pan searing gourmet delights. While the steamed Edamame is for the Hale and Hearty, the Dim Sum is a take on Chinese cuisine. Complementing the experience are Hand Pressed Burgers inspired by a unique mix of Indian and International flavours and curated International Meal Bowls.

PVR has recently started to reopen in a phased manner with 100% vaccinated staff with permissions coming from states and UTs in the country. PVR maintains stringent hygiene protocols, social distancing and other SOPs as per the directives of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Besides digital transactions being enabled via e-wallets, to facilitate paperless movie ticketing, QR codes can be scanned to enter the cinema through customers’ phone. One can also pre-book meals via the PVR app to avoid queues and waiting time at the concession counter. The use of anti-microbial film on most-touched surfaces and hourly disinfection of key touchpoints with hospital-grade virucide, use of UV cabinets to sterilize all food packaging are some of the standard safety protocols that have been adopted.

The multiplex property originally opened in the year 1997 is now renovated as one of the legacy properties celebrating PVR’s journey and appealing to Delhi’s youth as its primary audience. With Delhiites who have grown in the city, PVR SAKET will take the audience down the memory lane as the place where they fell in love with movies.

With this opening, PVR strengthens its growth momentum in FY 2021-2022 with 849 screens at 177 properties in 72 cities (India and Sri Lanka).