In a move that has left cinephiles baffled, the Hollywood supernatural thriller Sinners, which debuted worldwide on April 18 and was largely shot on the high-end IMAX 65mm camera, has been removed from three of India’s most iconic standalone IMAX theatres: Eros IMAX in Mumbai, and Priya and Paras IMAX in Delhi. Shockingly, the film has been replaced by Kesari Chapter 2 and Jaat—Bollywood titles not even shot in the IMAX format.
The three affected cinemas, all operated by PVR Inox, are single-screen properties dedicated to IMAX viewing, making the decision even more controversial. Sources reveal that Warner Bros., the studio behind Sinners, had requested a proper release across these screens, especially considering the film’s technical merit and growing word-of-mouth buzz. However, the cinemas opted out, fearing limited footfall due to the film’s niche appeal in India.
Warner Bros. had attempted to compromise by offering additional content like A Minecraft Movie and Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, both of which have IMAX appeal. Despite this, the management prioritized Kesari Chapter 2, a new Akshay Kumar release, and Jaat, a holdover film. This choice came despite the fact that Sinners opened strong in the remaining 28 IMAX theatres across the country, contributing over 30% of its day-one box office from IMAX screens alone.
According to industry insiders, the decision not only undervalues the visual integrity of the IMAX format but also risks alienating loyal audiences who visit Eros, Priya, and Paras specifically for premium cinematic experiences. These theatres argued that dedicating all shows to a slow-burning niche film could hurt their revenues, but Warner contended that Sinners deserved at least partial representation due to its format and growing popularity.
Critics suggest a more balanced approach could have been taken—allowing Sinners a limited run over the weekend before re-evaluating showtimes. Instead, Eros currently screens five daily shows of Kesari Chapter 2, while Priya and Paras give morning slots to Jaat and the remainder to Kesari. Early box office reports show that this gamble hasn’t paid off—Saturday night shows saw poor occupancy at Eros, unlike other theatres in the same city showing the same film.
Ultimately, the fallout reveals the delicate balancing act facing single-screen IMAX theatres: catering to mass-market demand while preserving the essence of IMAX as a premium, visually immersive experience. For now, though, audiences looking to watch Sinners as intended will have to turn to other IMAX locations.
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