Imax Corp (NYSE: IMAX) and India's leading cinema chain, Asian Cinemas, have recently announced a cooperative agreement to open three new IMAX with Laser locations in India under the AMB Cinemas brand. Two of these will be situated in Hyderabad—the capital of Telangana state and a major hub for the Telugu film industry.

The first venue will be at AMB Classic in Hyderabad, slated to open by the end of 2026, with the remaining two planned to commence operations by 2028. This collaboration marks IMAX's return to the Hyderabad market after an absence of a decade. The city has been without an IMAX screen since the closure of the landmark Prasads IMAX in 2015. This comeback coincides with the upcoming release of the highly anticipated Indian IMAX production "Varanasi," directed by acclaimed filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli, whose previous works "RRR" and "Baahubali 2: The Conclusion" are IMAX's two highest-grossing local films ever in India.

AMB Cinemas Managing Directors Sunil Narang and Bharat Narang stated, "Hyderabad's passion for cinema is unparalleled, and bringing IMAX back to the city is a tremendous honor and pride for AMB Cinemas. AMB stands for quality and excellence, and partnering with IMAX is the perfect step to deliver an unparalleled cinematic experience to our audiences."

Imax CEO Rich Gelfond noted, "2025 was our strongest year ever for box office in India, and robust market performance is driving continued demand for IMAX from both new and existing partners. India has a vibrant film culture and enthusiastic audiences, and this agreement will help us expand our footprint in one of the country's most important markets."

Since 2020, IMAX's footprint in India has grown by nearly 60%, with 34 locations currently open and at least four more expected to be added this year. In 2025, the IMAX India market set a box office record of $25.6 million, including nearly $8 million from international content, with a total of 11 Indian-language films released throughout the year.

The new cinemas will be equipped with IMAX with Laser projection technology, offering 4K ultra-high-definition visuals and a precise audio system to create an immersive viewing experience for audiences.