Hyderabad, which has a great passion for cinema and a thriving film culture, is soon to witness a long-awaited return of a high-end cinematic experience. IMAX, the international acclaimed large-screen format, is officially coming back to Hyderabad, owing to a significant announcement made by Suniel Narang of the Asian Group.
For decades, Hyderabad was home to South India’s most famous IMAX screen at Prasads Multiplex. Generations of film-goers recall seeing epic epic blockbusters such as Baahubali, Interstellar, and Avatar in unparalleled grandeur and sound quality. But when the IMAX lease with Prasads ended, the movie aficionados were left with a gap that no screen could replace.
But now, that space is going to be filled all over again—and with even more sophisticated technology and expectations than ever.
Hyderabad’s Love Affair with IMAX
Hyderabad’s movie-goers are not mere casual cinemagoers—they’re ardent film enthusiasts. The city’s fondness for movies—particularly Telugu blockbusters, international releases, and cutting-edge movie experiences—is legendary. And in that cultural context, the IMAX format had a particularly privileged place.
Prasads’ IMAX screen, erstwhile Hyderabad’s pride, was the lone one in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Its giant screen, booming sound system, and icy-clear projection created the movie experience of a lifetime. Travelers from nearby cities would come simply to watch movies in the IMAX format at Prasads.
But with the IMAX brand’s contract cancellation with Prasads, that classic experience disappeared and audiences had no option but to adapt to substitutes.
PCX: An Interim Substitute, Not a Replacement
Prasads Multiplex took a shot at filling the void in an effort to adapt. PCX (Prasads Cinematic eXperience) was an in-house-developed large-screen format. Although PCX featured a larger screen and improved sound, it never equaled the technical excellence and brand influence of IMAX.
Cinema-goers who have seen the genuine IMAX knew the difference. PCX might have filled up seats, but it didn’t fill the hearts of cinema-goers who yearn for a world-class, immersive, and authentic IMAX-grade movie experience.
IMAX Returns: Asian Group’s Big Announcement
Meet Suniel Narang, an ardent entrepreneur and co-owner of the Asian Cinemas Group, who officially announced what every Hyderabad cinema buff has been eagerly waiting to hear—
“IMAX is coming to Hyderabad once again.”
The Asian Group, that has transformed film exhibition in South India, is now establishing a brand-new IMAX screen in Hakimpet, a neighborhood in the northern corridor of Hyderabad. “The screen would become functional within the next two years,” says Suniel Narang, with the construction and technical preparatory work already in the pipeline.
This news arrives as a game-changer for Hyderabad viewers as well as Telugu filmmakers, who now have the option to devise content with an IMAX format in mind—a step that takes storytelling to an epic level.
IMAX’s Speed of Change
Worldwide, IMAX has changed much beyond its role as a giant screen. Modern-day IMAX has:
Laser projection systems for brighter, sharper, and truer color
- 12-channel audio systems that give spine-chilling sound
- Dome and 3D support to enable directors to create truly immersive scenes
Implementing such sophisticated infrastructure is no easy task. It requires not only investment but also technical precision, architectural modifications, and most critically, a vision to bring cinematic excellence.
Asian Group’s this step marks an enormous investment in Hyderabad’s top-shelf cinema future—and fans couldn’t be happier.
What It Means for Telugu Cinema
IMAX’s return is not solely a victory for international blockbusters—it’s a gigantic chance for Telugu cinema. With Tollywood already producing bigger-than-life films such as RRR, Pushpa, and Baahubali, the market has had a steady hunger for size and spectacle.
The re-entry of IMAX enables local filmmakers to:
- Shoot critical scenes in IMAX-native formats
- Mastering sound design for 12-channel IMAX systems
- Distribute in various languages with unmatched screen clarity
This also implies that additional Telugu movies can now open worldwide with an IMAX label, something that has the potential to widen overseas box office exposure.
Creating Cultural and Economic Value
The new IMAX installation is not simply a commercial undertaking—it’s a figurative coming back to where Hyderabad had started. With the city developing further as an IT, arts, and entertainment destination, such investment brings economic value and cultural prestige.
The Hakimpet area, which is still taking off as a leisure hub, will be the big gainer. The IMAX screen will probably be a component of a mega multiplex complex, accompanied by restaurants, retail, and lifestyle brands. This will transform the area into a vibrant cultural hub in the not-too-distant future.
Read Also :- Suriya’s Missed Masterpieces: Big Projects Slip Away, Others Take the Spotlight
Final Thoughts: Hyderabad’s Big Screen Era Rises Again
The IMAX revival is not simply about a screen. It’s about reclaiming Hyderabad as a paradise for film enthusiasts. It’s about providing contemporary audiences with what they so rightfully deserve—a space where one doesn’t just view cinema, but experiences it.
With this step, Asian Group, led by Suniel Narang, is scripting the next story in the cinema history of Hyderabad. One in which each frame is larger than life, each sound transports you to another world, and each movie is etched in your memory forever.
So, if you didn’t catch up with the IMAX heydays at Prasads, don’t fret—the times are good, and ten times bigger than life.
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