The Rise of Immersive Cinema Dining
In a landscape saturated with heritage walks, poetry readings, and countless other communal activities, the traditional movie-going experience has largely remained static. While other pastimes have evolved, most cinema halls have stubbornly clung to the familiar formula of overpriced popcorn and sugary drinks. However, a new wave of gourmet cinema is challenging this status quo, transforming a simple film screening into a multi-sensory culinary adventure.
The catalyst for this change often comes from innovative companies like the Sunset Cinema Club (SCC). Founded nine years ago by engineering batchmates Sahil Kapoor and Sanchit Gupta, SCC began with a simple open-air screening of Pulp Fiction in Delhi's Connaught Place back in 2016. The casual bean-bag seating and snacks were an instant hit, leading to a three-day film festival in Chanakyapuri by 2017. After hosting over 200,000 people across eight years in diverse venues, from rooftops to drive-ins, SCC launched its premium gourmet cinema experience in June 2025.
Beyond Popcorn: A Global and Local Trend
This fusion of fine dining and film is not an isolated phenomenon. Across Asia, cinemas are engaging all the senses. A hotpot cinema experience from Chengdu, China, inspired a similar venture in Malaysia. In Hamburg, Germany, Eat The Film Restaurant & Bar has been plating cinematic inspiration since late 2023. The trend is spearheaded globally by entities like Fork n' Film, which started as a Los Angeles pop-up in mid-2023 and now operates in eight US locations, plus Mexico and London.
Back in India, major cinema chains have also been upgrading their food offerings. INOX (now PVR INOX) launched a health-focused menu curated by chef Vicky Ratnani in 2017. PVR Cinemas collaborated with chef Sarah Todd to introduce globally influenced dishes, while Cinépolis partnered with chef Saransh Goila to roll out 40 new items in 2019. More recently, PVR INOX launched its first luxury dine-in cinema in Bengaluru, featuring chef-curated menus served cafe-style at tables facing the screen.
However, the true immersive experience lies in customization. As Sahil Kapoor of SCC explains, "You should be able to feel the movie through your palate." This philosophy is shared by ventures like Taste Cinemas Gurgaon, which started in 2024 and curates intricate eight-course menus inspired by everything from Harry Potter and Ratatouille to Twilight and F.R.I.E.N.D.S. The ultimate goal is to create a sensory portal directly into the film's world.
A Taste of 'Eat, Pray, Love'
The magic of this concept is best understood through experience. At an SCC gourmet screening, priced at ₹3,000 per person, the film Eat, Pray, Love becomes more than a visual journey. The experience begins with a basket of truffle popcorn, setting a premium tone. As the protagonist attends a party on screen, guests are served an appetizer of baked nachos with cheese—arriving precisely when nachos are mentioned in the dialogue.
The synchronization between screen and plate is meticulously planned for all 40-50 patrons. When Julia Roberts' character, Liz, travels to Italy to discover her appetite for life, the audience does too. As she orders spaghetti and pizza in a Roman restaurant, guests are served their own portions of spaghetti pomodoro and margarita pizza. The experience is heightened with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, mirroring Liz's on-screen wine.
The journey continues as the film moves to India, represented by a beetroot galouti chaat, and concludes in Bali with tofu steamed in banana leaves. Since the film itself lacked a dessert, the SCC team improvised with a tutti-frutti sundae, inspired by a minor character named Tutti. The experience concludes with a themed postcard, a souvenir to commemorate the cinematic and culinary voyage, leaving the audience planning their next edible adventure.
This new model proves that the future of cinema isn't just about bigger screens or louder sound. It's about creating a holistic, immersive escape where taste and smell are as integral to the story as sight and sound. For a growing number of Indians, going to the movies is no longer just about watching a story—it's about tasting it.
