Hyd to Create History: Single Screens Like Never Before?

Hyderabad’s theatre scene is going through a massive change and a treat for movie lovers, with more focus now on upgrading the movie watching experience rather than just increasing the number of screens.

Recently, Allu Cinemas became one of the few places in India to introduce Dolby Cinema, raising the standard for visual and sound quality. Now, another major development is underway. Mythri Movie Makers has taken over Ranga Theatre in Jeedimetla and is planning a complete renovation. The highlight is that they are looking to install a Dolby Cinema screen there, which could make it the first single screen theatre in the world with this format.

The new theatre will have more than 600 seats and is being built with a budget of Rs. 13 to 14 crores. That is almost double what Mythri spent on renovating Vimal Theatre in Balanagar, which is currently considered one of the best single screens in the city. Along with the screen upgrade, the team is also focusing on interiors, seating comfort, parking, and food facilities to match modern expectations. The theatre is expected to be ready by the end of this year and will cater to audiences in areas like Jeedimetla, Kukatpally, Kompally, and Balanagar.

At the same time, Mythri is also renovating Ganga Theatre in Dilsukhnagar, following a similar approach.

This trend is not limited to production houses. Actors are also entering the exhibition business. Mahesh Babu’s AMB Cinemas has been running successfully for several years and has now expanded to Bengaluru. Allu Arjun also recently launched a new Dolby multiplex in Kokapet.

After COVID, many single screens lost their appeal due to outdated facilities. But instead of disappearing, they are now being upgraded to compete with multiplexes. The focus is clearly shifting towards better experience, and Hyderabad seems to be leading this change.