With releases like 'Pathaan', 'Gadar 2' and 'Jawan', Indian cinema was in for a joyous ride in 2023. But another trend was observed last year. Cinegoers also rushed to their nearest cinema to watch matches and concerts. In this exclusive conversation with Wion's Samarpita Das, Ajay Bijli, the managing director of PVR Inox limited, explains the drastic changes theatres witnessed in 2023.

PVR Chief Ajay Bijli talks about the big boom in Indian Cinema

<p>In a series of unsettling events, multiple moviegoers were evacuated and some received treatment for exposure to an unknown substance sprayed by masked people&nbsp;in theatres across different Greater Toronto Area regions earlier this week.</p>

<p>On Tuesday (Dec 5)&nbsp;around 9:20 pm, the&nbsp;incident unfolded at a cinema complex in Vaughan, as reported by the York Regional Police. Two masked men sprayed an "unknown, aerosol-based, irritating substance" in a theatre where a Hindi film was being screened.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The noxious substance led to numerous moviegoers coughing, prompting the evacuation of around 200 people, reported PTI.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/khalistani-terrorist-gurpatwant-singh-pannun-threatens-to-blow-up-parliament-after-failed-assassination-bid-666712">Also read |&nbsp;Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatens to blow up Indian Parliament after 'plot' to kill him</a></p>

<h2><strong>Coordinated or coincidental?</strong></h2>

<p>Authorities are examining potential connections between the Vaughan incident and similar occurrences in Brampton and Scarborough. Peel police reported responding to a Brampton theatre where a substance was sprayed, leading to an evacuation with no reported serious injuries.</p>

<p>Toronto police received a call about a "stink bomb" set off in a Scarborough theatre, resulting in another evacuation with no reported injuries.</p>

<p>The York police provided descriptions of the suspects involved in the Vaughan incident. The first suspect is described as a Black man with a light skin tone, while the second is described as a brown man with a light skin tone. No arrests have been made yet, and investigations are ongoing.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Indian students don't want to go to Canada</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Potential hate-motivated crimes?</strong></h2>

<p>Authorities are considering the possibility of a link between the incidents, with investigations in their early stages. Although there is no clear indication of a hate-motivated crime, the Hate Crime Prevention Unit has been notified, and the investigation will involve their participation.</p>

<p>Cineplex, the cinema chain affected by these incidents, expressed its commitment to safety and cooperation with local authorities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Our primary focus and commitment is the safety and well-being of our guests and our team," Michelle Saba, a spokesperson for Cineplex told PTI.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a series of unsettling events, multiple moviegoers were evacuated and some received treatment for exposure to an unknown substance sprayed by masked people in theatres across different Greater Toronto Area regions earlier this week.

In a series of unsettling events, multiple moviegoers were evacuated and some received treatment for exposure to an unknown substance sprayed by masked people in theatres across different Greater Toronto Area regions earlier this week. On Tuesday (Dec 5) around 9:20 pm, the incident unfolded at a cinema complex in Vaughan, as reported by the York Regional Police. Two masked men sprayed an "unknown, aerosol-based, irritating substance" in a theatre where a Hindi film was being screened. The noxious substance led to numerous moviegoers coughing, prompting the evacuation of around 200 people, reported PTI. Also read | Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatens to blow up Indian Parliament after 'plot' to kill him Coordinated or coincidental? Authorities are examining potential connections between the Vaughan incident and similar occurrences in Brampton and Scarborough. Peel police reported responding to a Brampton theatre where a substance was sprayed, leading to an evacuation with no reported serious injuries. Toronto police received a call about a "stink bomb" set off in a Scarborough theatre, resulting in another evacuation with no reported injuries. The York police provided descriptions of the suspects involved in the Vaughan incident. The first suspect is described as a Black man with a light skin tone, while the second is described as a brown man with a light skin tone. No arrests have been made yet, and investigations are ongoing. Also watch | Gravitas: Indian students don't want to go to Canada Potential hate-motivated crimes? Authorities are considering the possibility of a link between the incidents, with investigations in their early stages. Although there is no clear indication of a hate-motivated crime, the Hate Crime Prevention Unit has been notified, and the investigation will involve their participation. Cineplex, the cinema chain affected by these incidents, expressed its commitment to safety and cooperation with local authorities. "Our primary focus and commitment is the safety and well-being of our guests and our team," Michelle Saba, a spokesperson for Cineplex told PTI. (With inputs from agencies)

Masked men spray unknown substance in Canadian movie halls screening Indian films

<p>A journalist from Chennai&nbsp;took to X (formerly Twitter) to recount a disconcerting experience he had after watching the film <em>Oppenheimer</em> at a PVR cinema in Chennai. He shared a photo of his arm covered in bug bites, displaying red patches caused by the apparent insect bite during his movie outing.</p>

<p>The journalist had chosen to watch the movie at the PVR cinema situated in Chennai's VR Mall. He accompanied his photo with the caption, "Watched #Oppenheimer @_PVRCinemas VR Mall #Chennai and this is the return gift #Bugs #PVR." His post rapidly gained traction, spreading across online platforms and capturing the attention of PVR Cinemas.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Watched <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Oppenheimer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Oppenheimer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_PVRCinemas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_PVRCinemas</a> VR Mall <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Chennai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Chennai</a> and this is the return gift <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bugs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bugs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PVR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PVR</a> <a href="https://t.co/I7ddqoEtX5">pic.twitter.com/I7ddqoEtX5</a></p>
— Vijay Kumar S (@vijaythehindu) <a href="https://twitter.com/vijaythehindu/status/1690420949878034432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>PVR's response: Third-party audit and denial of issues</strong></h2>

<p>In response to the journalist's concerns, PVR Cinemas issued a detailed statement. The cinema chain stated, "Thanks for reaching out to us. The moment we received your concern, an extensive check was done yesterday, and we didn't find any issues related to insects and bed bugs. Please note that we have got a third-party audit done in the cinema to ensure everything is intact."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thanks for reaching out to us. The moment we received your concern, an extensive check was done yesterday, and we didn't find any issues related to insects and bed bugs. Please note that we have got a third-party audit done in the cinema to ensure everything is intact -(1/3)</p>
— P V R C i n e m a s (@_PVRCinemas) <a href="https://twitter.com/_PVRCinemas/status/1690738080486203392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">and as per PVR's standards and as per the report our audi was insect and beg bug free. This may have been an allergic reaction or you may have got it from some other infested place. -(2/3)</p>
— P V R C i n e m a s (@_PVRCinemas) <a href="https://twitter.com/_PVRCinemas/status/1690738838334021632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/who-was-bindeshwar-pathak-the-man-behind-indias-toilet-building-revolution-dies-at-80-625718">Who was Bindeshwar Pathak? The man behind India’s toilet-building revolution dies at 80</a></p>

<p>The statement asserted that the cinema hall met PVR's standards and passed the third-party audit for insect and bed bug infestations. PVR suggested that the journalist's condition could be attributed to an allergic reaction or exposure to infested surroundings elsewhere.</p>

<p>The image of the journalist's bug-bitten arm triggered a wave of reactions&nbsp;among social media users.</p>

<p>They flooded the comments section with their thoughts and personal encounters. One user expressed surprise and concern, asking if the journalist endured the entire movie with the discomfort. Another recounted their own unfavourable experience, noting a delayed movie start and shared dissatisfaction.</p>

<p><strong>PVR's History of Controversy: Past Incidents Sparking Discontent</strong></p>

<p>This isn't the first time PVR Cinemas has faced criticism. In a previous incident back in July, another journalist highlighted the exorbitant prices of regular popcorn and a Pepsi at a PVR cinema in Mall of India, Noida. The high bill, amounting to Rs 820 ($9.84)&nbsp;was compared to the cost of an annual subscription to Amazon Prime Video.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></p>


A journalist from Chennai took to X (formerly Twitter) to recount a disconcerting experience he had after watching the film Oppenheimer at a PVR cinema in Chennai.

A journalist from Chennai took to X (formerly Twitter) to recount a disconcerting experience he had after watching the film Oppenheimer at a PVR cinema in Chennai. He shared a photo of his arm covered in bug bites, displaying red patches caused by the apparent insect bite during his movie outing. The journalist had chosen to watch the movie at the PVR cinema situated in Chennai's VR Mall. He accompanied his photo with the caption, "Watched #Oppenheimer @_PVRCinemas VR Mall #Chennai and this is the return gift #Bugs #PVR." His post rapidly gained traction, spreading across online platforms and capturing the attention of PVR Cinemas. Watched #Oppenheimer @_PVRCinemas VR Mall #Chennai and this is the return gift #Bugs #PVR pic.twitter.com/I7ddqoEtX5 — Vijay Kumar S (@vijaythehindu) August 12, 2023 × PVR's response: Third-party audit and denial of issues In response to the journalist's concerns, PVR Cinemas issued a detailed statement. The cinema chain stated, "Thanks for reaching out to us. The moment we received your concern, an extensive check was done yesterday, and we didn't find any issues related to insects and bed bugs. Please note that we have got a third-party audit done in the cinema to ensure everything is intact." Thanks for reaching out to us. The moment we received your concern, an extensive check was done yesterday, and we didn't find any issues related to insects and bed bugs. Please note that we have got a third-party audit done in the cinema to ensure everything is intact -(1/3) — P V R C i n e m a s (@_PVRCinemas) August 13, 2023 × and as per PVR's standards and as per the report our audi was insect and beg bug free. This may have been an allergic reaction or you may have got it from some other infested place. -(2/3) — P V R C i n e m a s (@_PVRCinemas) August 13, 2023 × Also read | Who was Bindeshwar Pathak? The man behind India’s toilet-building revolution dies at 80 The statement asserted that the cinema hall met PVR's standards and passed the third-party audit for insect and bed bug infestations. PVR suggested that the journalist's condition could be attributed to an allergic reaction or exposure to infested surroundings elsewhere. The image of the journalist's bug-bitten arm triggered a wave of reactions among social media users. They flooded the comments section with their thoughts and personal encounters. One user expressed surprise and concern, asking if the journalist endured the entire movie with the discomfort. Another recounted their own unfavourable experience, noting a delayed movie start and shared dissatisfaction. PVR's History of Controversy: Past Incidents Sparking Discontent This isn't the first time PVR Cinemas has faced criticism. In a previous incident back in July, another journalist highlighted the exorbitant prices of regular popcorn and a Pepsi at a PVR cinema in Mall of India, Noida. The high bill, amounting to Rs 820 ($9.84) was compared to the cost of an annual subscription to Amazon Prime Video. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'Bugged out' movie experience: Indian man bitten by insects at theatre, shares startling photo

AMC Theaters, the nation’s largest movie theater chain, on Monday unveiled a new pricing scheme in which seat location determines how much your movie ticket costs.

AMC to charge more for good seats in movie theaters

Many US states easing their restrictions, movie theatres have begun reopening one of the worlds most significant movie markets that is new york. But this comeback will be its own constraints, restrictions will include 25% occupancy or a maximum of 50 patrons. So what does this move holds for an industry battled by the pandemic for more than a year now?

United States: Can theatres afford re-opening with limited capacity?

<p>Movie theaters outside of New York City will be allowed to reopen on Oct. 23 after a months-long hiatus spurred by the coronavirus, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Saturday.<br />
<br />
Theaters will be required to cap capacity at 25% with a maximum of 50 people per screen, and only in counties that have a positivity rate below 2% on the 14-day-average and no cluster areas, Cuomo said.<br />
<br />
Moviegoers will be required to wear masks except when seated and eating or drinking. Theaters will be required to meet enhanced standards for air filtration and ventilation.<br />
<br />
The governor announced the move at a Saturday briefing where he said New York was making progress in tackling COVID-19 "clusters" in certain areas of the state, including Brooklyn and Queens in New York City.</p>

<p>"The strategy is working," Cuomo said, pointing to decreasing positivity rates in so-called "red zones." "Not just the micro clusters, the whole statewide strategy is working."<br />
<br />
Cuomo has come under pressure from cinema operators for not allowing theaters to reopen sooner. Last week, the executive committee of the Global Cinema Federation, which represents cinema operators and other industry leaders worldwide, sent a letter to the Democratic governor asking him to reverse his decision to keep theaters closed.</p>

<p>Cinema operators are buckling under the financial strain of the pandemic.<br />
<br />
Attendance at the world`s largest movie theater chain, AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc, has slumped 85% compared to last year since its cinemas reopened after lockdowns were eased in some states, the company said.</p>

<p>With the pandemic changing consumer behavior globally, more viewers are being driven to digital video services as people spend more time at home due to restrictions on movement and a switch to working from home, which has shuttered theaters.</p>


Movie theaters outside of New York City will be allowed to reopen on Oct. 23 after a months-long hiatus spurred by the coronavirus, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Saturday.

Movie theaters outside of New York City will be allowed to reopen on Oct. 23 after a months-long hiatus spurred by the coronavirus, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Saturday. Theaters will be required to cap capacity at 25% with a maximum of 50 people per screen, and only in counties that have a positivity rate below 2% on the 14-day-average and no cluster areas, Cuomo said. Moviegoers will be required to wear masks except when seated and eating or drinking. Theaters will be required to meet enhanced standards for air filtration and ventilation. The governor announced the move at a Saturday briefing where he said New York was making progress in tackling COVID-19 "clusters" in certain areas of the state, including Brooklyn and Queens in New York City. "The strategy is working," Cuomo said, pointing to decreasing positivity rates in so-called "red zones." "Not just the micro clusters, the whole statewide strategy is working." Cuomo has come under pressure from cinema operators for not allowing theaters to reopen sooner. Last week, the executive committee of the Global Cinema Federation, which represents cinema operators and other industry leaders worldwide, sent a letter to the Democratic governor asking him to reverse his decision to keep theaters closed. Cinema operators are buckling under the financial strain of the pandemic. Attendance at the world`s largest movie theater chain, AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc, has slumped 85% compared to last year since its cinemas reopened after lockdowns were eased in some states, the company said. With the pandemic changing consumer behavior globally, more viewers are being driven to digital video services as people spend more time at home due to restrictions on movement and a switch to working from home, which has shuttered theaters.

Movie theaters outside New York City to reopen at 25 per cent capacity, Cuomo says

Thais flocked to get a massage and see movies on Monday (June 1) as the country eased its lockdown on more businesses in response to its low number of locally transmitted cases of the coronavirus.

Thais head for a massage and a movie as virus lockdown eases

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