India's Cinema Landscape Shrinks Dramatically
India's movie-going experience faces a severe crisis. Single-screen cinemas have declined sharply while multiplex growth remains uneven. This situation limits options for audiences across the country.
The Vanishing Single Screens
Single-screen theatres dominated India's theatrical landscape just a decade ago. Today, their numbers have dropped dramatically. From 9,500 properties, only about 6,500 remain in 2025.
Several factors contribute to this decline. Rising real estate prices make operations difficult. The availability of content on streaming platforms also affects attendance. Many regions have lost access completely.
Consider these stark examples:
- Punjab operated 55 single-screen cinemas in 2002. Only two remain today.
- Uttar Pradesh has seen numbers fall from 1,250 theatres to just 500.
Uneven Multiplex Expansion
Multiplex growth has not compensated for single-screen losses. India currently has only 3,700 multiplex screens. Their expansion concentrates heavily in top metro markets.
This creates geographical disparities. Large population segments lack access to modern cinema experiences. The theatrical infrastructure grows neither evenly nor fast enough.
Rahul Puri, managing director of Mukta Arts and Mukta A2 Cinemas, explains the pricing problem. "Multiplexes operate at higher average ticket prices. They end up shrinking and segregating the market. Many people cannot afford elevated pricing consistently."
Startling Statistics Reveal the Gap
A report by The Multiplex Association of India, prepared by EY, provides concerning data. India has 19,000 postal zones. Among these, 16,350 zones contain no cinema screens whatsoever.
The screen density per population has decreased. In 2018, India had 7.6 screens per million people. By 2024, this number fell to 6.8 screens per million.
India's population exceeds 1.4 billion people. Less than 150 million individuals, or about 10%, attend movies in theatres annually.
Box Office Collections Reflect the Struggle
The number of films released in theatres during 2024 matched 2019 levels. However, high-performing movies decreased significantly. Only seven films grossed ₹100 crore or more in 2024, down from seventeen previously.
Ancillary revenue streams have diminished. Satellite television and OTT rights sales no longer provide substantial support. Films now depend more heavily on direct box office collections.
Audience Concerns and Industry Challenges
The MAI report highlights audience priorities. 54% of theatre-going customers want rationalization in ticket prices. Another 38% seek lower food and beverage costs at cinemas.
Rahul Puri emphasizes the access issue. "Single-screen closures mean many people lost theatre access. The industry cannot cater to these audiences. Instead, we see more investment in already saturated markets."
Real estate prices create major hurdles. Costs have skyrocketed even in India's smallest towns. This hinders mall construction where multiplexes typically locate.
The Piracy Problem Intensifies
Film piracy further compromises the cinema business. Yusuf Shaikh, film producer and founder of Janta Cinema, states the reality. More people watch films through illegal means than in cinemas or on OTT platforms.
The MAI report confirms this trend. 51% of media consumers access content from pirated sources. Among these, 76% belong to the 19-to-34 age group.
Shaikh advocates focusing on interiors. His company targets underserved markets with tickets priced as low as ₹100. However, content remains a challenge for expansion.
Content Consistency and Operational Realities
A handful of star-driven films and mass entertainers release annually. This limited content cannot sustain theatres in tier-two or tier-three towns consistently.
Bhuvanesh Mendiratta, managing director of Miraj Entertainment Ltd, explains the operational challenge. "The biggest challenge today is consistency. Strong content brings audiences, but cinemas must manage uneven content flow carefully."
Operating costs have risen significantly. Experience-led cinemas gain importance in this environment. Properties investing in better technology, comfort, and food create value beyond ticket prices.
The gap widens between upgraded cinemas and those maintaining older standards. This disparity affects audience experiences across different regions and economic segments.
India's cinema industry stands at a critical juncture. Addressing geographical disparities, pricing concerns, and content availability requires urgent attention. The future of movie-going for millions of Indians depends on these solutions.
