Good News for Hyd Movie Lovers: IMAX at RTC X Roads?

For many years, movie lovers in Hyderabad considered Prasads IMAX the ultimate destination for watching films. Its giant screen and immersive presentation offered an experience that was unmatched in the city. Watching a big-budget film there felt like an event rather than a regular movie outing.

However, that era came to an end when Prasads lost its IMAX branding due to licensing and technical reasons. The theatre later introduced its own premium large-screen format, PCX. While PCX continues to deliver a quality experience, many moviegoers never stopped hoping for the return of a genuine IMAX screen to Hyderabad.

Now, that long-standing wish may finally become a reality.

According to industry buzz, Asian Cinemas is exploring plans to bring IMAX back to Hyderabad. The speculation gained momentum after leading distributor and producer Suniel Narang hinted at the possibility during a recent interview.

Despite being one of India’s biggest movie markets and the home of Telugu cinema, neither Andhra Pradesh nor Telangana currently has an operational IMAX screen. Meanwhile, neighboring states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala already offer IMAX experiences.

Over the past few years, Hyderabad has launched formats such as Dolby Cinema, Dolby LED, PCX, PXL, and Barco-powered auditoriums which have significantly upgraded the theatrical experience. IMAX would be the next major step in that evolution.

Interestingly, early industry speculation suggests the IMAX screen could come up at the site of the iconic Sudarshan 70MM theatre, which is soon to be launched as AMB Cinemas at RTC X roads after being taken over by Asian Cinemas and Mahesh Babu. For longtime movie fans, that adds a nostalgic element, as Sudarshan was closely associated with several memorable Telugu film releases.

The possibility also appears logical for another reason. Mahesh Babu’s upcoming film with SS Rajamouli, Varanasi, is reportedly being shot for IMAX screens. If the project materializes, having an IMAX screen linked to AMB Cinemas would be a fitting addition. But all of that now is just speculation.

The biggest challenge, however, could be ticket pricing in Telugu states. Premium formats like IMAX involve significantly higher installation, licensing, maintenance, and operating costs.

Pricing flexibility may be necessary for an IMAX screen to operate profitably. Without it, recovering the substantial investment could become difficult.

For Hyderabad’s movie lovers, though, the bigger picture is simple. An entire generation grew up associating IMAX with the biggest cinematic spectacles. If the project materializes, it will be more than just the launch of another premium screen. It will mark the return of a movie experience that has been missing from Hyderabad for over a decade.

And in a city that lives and breathes cinema, that would be a significant moment.