India's theatrical market has emerged as one of Asia's strongest performers, surpassing pre-pandemic revenues even as streaming platforms and a depleted Hollywood slate have pressured cinemas globally. Box office revenues hit a record $1.48 billion in 2025, driven largely by Hindi-language films that continue to dominate domestic audiences.
PVR Inox, the country's largest multiplex chain, attributes this resilience to consistent local content production and expanding cinema footprints outside major metropolitan centers. The company has aggressively pursued acquisition strategies at major festivals, including Cannes, where Indian distributors have secured rights to films targeting both domestic and international markets.
Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, the chain's leadership voice, emphasized that India's box office strength reflects viewer appetite for theatrical experiences despite OTT competition. Unlike North American and European markets where streaming has cannibalized theatrical revenue, Indian audiences continue treating cinema as a primary entertainment destination. This preference stems partly from limited broadband penetration outside cities and cultural viewing habits that favor collective cinema experiences.
The expansion strategy focuses on tier-two and tier-three cities where multiplex infrastructure remains sparse. PVR Inox plans to deepen its footprint in these markets, capturing audience segments previously served only by single-screens. This territorial growth directly correlates to the box office recovery figures.
Cannes acquisitions represent another growth vector. Indian distributors have become aggressive players at international film festivals, securing English-language and regional-language films that appeal to metropolitan audiences seeking diverse content. These acquisitions diversify multiplexes beyond Bollywood offerings and compete with streaming services' content libraries.
The Hollywood pipeline slowdown that has gutted international box offices hasn't severely impacted India because the market depends primarily on domestic Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada productions. Major Bollywood releases from franchises like "Pathaan"