BIG Cinemas, India’s largest multiplex chain with 202 screens, has partnered Dutch firm Pathé Theatres for setting up three screens in the Netherlands, which could be the starting point for a larger footprint across Europe.
The R-ADAG company has acquired movie theatres in the US, Malaysia, Mauritius and Kathmandu in the past few years. Big Cinemas owns 230 screens abroad, but its first overseas Big Cinemas-branded theatre will debut in Chicago in the next few days.
In the Netherlands, the company will roll out three Big Cinemas screens in Pathé Theaters’ existing megaplexes in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Hague. “Pathé is a perfect fit in our global strategy to bring Indian movies to Europe and other continents. Starting with the Netherlands, we will explore other countries in Europe,” says Anil Arjun, CEO, Adlabs Films.
Pathé Theatres is a part of EuroPalaces movie theatre chain that runs 834 screens in France, Switzerland, Italy and Netherlands.
“The European market, comprising France, Germany and Holland, constitutes 10-12 per cent of the overseas market. The UK’s contribution of almost 40 per cent of overseas collections reflects the potential for market expansion and content absorption. We are confident of breaking even within a year of starting operations in the Netherlands,” concluded Arjun.
Source: The Economic Times
