Allu Cinemas Will Not Be a Competition; There Is Enough Space
Allu Arjun is now venturing into the exhibition business with Allu Cinemas, featuring the country’s largest Dolby Cinema screen at Kokapet.
After making a strong mark in film production and distribution, the family of reigning star Allu Arjun is now venturing into the exhibition business with Allu Cinemas, featuring the country’s largest Dolby Cinema screen at Kokapet, a prime locality in Hyderabad. Will this give Asian Cinemas tough competition?
“Not at all. In fact, we want more swanky theatres in our city because cosmopolitan Hyderabadis love watching movies in different languages. Besides, ours are developed as 'malls' while they run standalone theatres. Above all, there is enough space for all,” says Suneil Narang, who owns a chain of theatres across the twin cities. He also jointly operates AAA Cinemas in Ameerpet along with Allu Arjun. “We have a long association with the Allu family. Our theatres together are doing well, and we share a great relationship,” he adds.
Suneil believes healthy competition only elevates the industry. “Competition enhances quality and gives viewers more options. Healthy competition is good for business, and we are always ready to provide the best to our audiences,” he explains.
Interestingly, Narang is now expanding into Karnataka, where he is setting up nine new theatres, including a redesigned Kapali theatre equipped with Dolby Vision, the first of its kind in Karnataka. 'We are not moving out of Hyderabad to avoid competition. We are expanding our brand equity to other states. Karnataka also has strong competition, but every business has challenges, and we must overcome them,” he points out.
Meanwhile, Asian Cinemas and Allu Arjun are widening their theatrical footprint with the launch of AAA Theatres in Visakhapatnam. ““Visakhapatnam audiences love cinema, and we aim to meet their expectations with this state-of-the-art theatre inside Inorbit Mall.”
Reflecting on collaborations with Telugu superstars like Mahesh Babu, Venkatesh, and Allu Arjun, Narang says the partnerships have been mutually rewarding. “Working with stars like Mahesh Babu, Allu Arjun, and Venkatesh has always been a great experience. They offer valuable inputs, which help us improve ambience, sound quality, and the overall experience. AMB Cinemas with Mahesh Babu and now AAA Theatres with Allu Arjun and an upcoming theatre with Venkatesh in RTC cross roads created tremendous excitement among fans and cine-goers. Our upcoming projects will only expand that reach further.”
On the issue of declining footfalls, Narang remains optimistic. “Audience turnout is erratic these days, but good theatres will always have an edge over others,” he concludes.
