IMAX Expansion in India: Ramayana, Varanasi, and the Big-Screen Boom

A Bigger Canvas for Indian Storytelling

The conversation around Indian cinema is shifting from the multiplex to the megaplex. With ambitious productions like Ramayana and The Odyssey promising spectacle on an unprecedented scale, the spotlight is now on the infrastructure needed to showcase them. IMAX, once a niche attraction for science documentaries and Hollywood blockbusters, is becoming a key part of India's film business strategy.

Industry observers point to a growing appetite for premium experiences. Moviegoers, especially in urban centres, are increasingly willing to pay a premium for superior picture and sound quality. This is not just about watching a film; it's about experiencing it in a way that home theatres cannot replicate.

Varanasi's Tryst with IMAX

Perhaps the most telling development is the planned IMAX screen in Varanasi. The holy city, known for its ghats and spiritual significance, is an unlikely candidate for cutting-edge cinema technology. Yet, its inclusion signals a deliberate push by exhibitors to tap into tier-2 and tier-3 markets that have shown robust box-office potential in recent years.

Local cinema chains are betting that the combination of a monumental film like Ramayana—a story deeply embedded in Indian culture—and the immersive IMAX format will be a powerful draw. The Varanasi project is part of a broader expansion that could see the number of IMAX screens in India grow significantly over the next few years.

Hollywood's Big Bet on India

The interest is not one-sided. Hollywood studios, facing plateauing audiences in mature markets, see India as a growth frontier. Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, shot with IMAX cameras, is a high-profile example of this strategy. The film's release in India, alongside its global debut, underscores the country's importance as a theatrical market.

This convergence of local mythology and global technology raises a question: are Indian audiences ready to embrace this format on a mass scale? The early indicators are promising. Films like Kalki 2898 AD and RRR have demonstrated that audiences will flock to theatres for events that feel larger than life.

The Economics of Immersion

The financial calculus behind IMAX is straightforward. A premium screen can generate significantly higher revenue per patron compared to a standard screen, even with fewer shows. For exhibitors, this means better margins. For filmmakers, it offers a chance to present their vision without compromise.

However, the expansion is not without challenges. The cost of installing and maintaining IMAX systems is substantial, and not every market can sustain such investment. The success of the Varanasi experiment, and similar projects in smaller cities, will be a critical test of the format's viability beyond the top metros.

A Cultural Shift in Viewing Habits

There is also a cultural dimension to this shift. Theatres in India have traditionally been spaces of communal celebration, where the audience's energy is as much a part of the experience as the film itself. IMAX, with its emphasis on technical perfection, offers a different kind of immersion—one that is more intense, more isolating, and arguably more personal.

Balancing this new technological spectacle with the collective joy of Indian movie-watching will be a subtle challenge for filmmakers and exhibitors alike. They will need to ensure that the format enhances, rather than overpowers, the storytelling.

As the industry gears up for 2027 and beyond, the pipeline of big-ticket releases remains strong. The real test will come when the novelty wears off, and audiences decide whether the premium ticket price is worth it for every blockbuster, or only for the rare event film.

What happens next is a waiting game. The performance of Ramayana and The Odyssey at the box office will likely dictate the pace of new IMAX installations across the country. If they succeed, India could well become one of the largest markets for premium large format cinema in the world. If they falter, the expansion may slow to a crawl, confined to a few showcase screens in major cities.