PVR Inox's profit surges as Bollywood hits draw audiences back

PVR INOX

05/02/2026 09:10

Feb 5 (Reuters) - India's largest multiplex operator PVR Inox PVRL.NS posted a nearly three-fold jump in quarterly profit on Thursday as a robust lineup of film releases and tax cuts boosted footfall.

Bollywood blockbuster "Dhurandhar" made a record 10 billion Indian rupees ($110 million) in overall sales, PVR Inox said, helping a 13% year-on-year growth in gross box office collections. Movies like "Avatar: Fire and Ash" also helped collections.

High footfalls are poised to continue until March 2026, supported by the government's consumption tax cut, Executive Director Sanjeev Bijli told Reuters in October.

The sector is emerging from a years-long slump in attendance due to weak urban spending, an uneven slate of blockbusters and growing competition from streaming platforms such as Netflix NFLX.O and Amazon's AMZN.O Prime.

To win audiences back, PVR Inox has been showing popular films like "Silsila" and "Jab We Met" and is offering discounted tickets on Tuesdays starting at around $1.

The cinema operator is also converting some movie halls into destinations for dining, gaming and co-working, to further drive footfalls.

PVR Inox's consolidated profit rose to 957 million rupees ($10.6 million) in the quarter ended December 31, from 359 million rupees a year ago.

The firm took a one-time charge of 446 million rupees related to India's new labour laws.

Footfall increased 8.6% year-on-year in the quarter, while occupancy improved by 277 basis points. Average ticket prices and food and beverage spends per head climbed by about 4% each.

($1 = 90.2200 Indian rupees)

 (Reporting by Urvi Dugar in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala)

 ((UrviManoj.Dugar@thomsonreuters.com; +91 9558725583;))