Sathyam Cinemas History: From Royal Theatre to SPI Cinemas

SPI Cinemas
Originally called Sathyam Cinemas, it was later renamed SPI Cinemas as it introduced several other multiplexes.

SPI Cinemas is an Indian multiplex chain and film production company owned by the SPI Group, headquartered in Chennai.

Sathyam Cinemas was originally named the "Royal Theatre Complex" and was built by Raja from Venkatagiri in April 1974.

With a capacity of 1,255 seats, it was the largest multiplex built in Chennai at the time.
Sathyam Cinemas
Kiran Reddy, the current CEO of SPI Group, revealed in a 2012 interview that Sathyam Cinemas was acquired by his family "from someone" in the 1980s. It was acquired for real estate purposes with no intention of continuing the theater business. He claimed, "The intent was to demolish the Sathyam building. The theatre wasn't a viable business if you looked at the value of the land." However, when he got involved in the business, the family had made several improvements to the theater. Reddy had taken over the business in 1999 and continued developing the theater, adding three more screens and refurbishing the existing three.

In 2009, Sathyam Cinemas established itself as a film production company, producing its first film, Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru.
Sathyam Cinemas
SPI has also introduced the first IMAX screen in Chennai with its Luxe Cinemas brand.

It is the first in the country to have a screen equipped with Dolby Atmos and also the first in Asia to have a screen equipped with Auro 3D.

The cinemas are equipped with state-of-the-art entertainment technology; including 4K digital projectors with 3D technology, 2.4 gain Silver Screens and digital audio delivering stunning cinematic experience.

Apart from showcasing the latest blockbusters, it also houses Blur, the largest multi-format gaming facility in India and the concept restaurants, ID and Ecstasy.

SPI focus on providing a paramount movie-viewing experience by exhibiting movies in settings like never before. Escape, Chennai's first luxury multiplex is a visual treat apart from being a top notch entertainment destination.

SPI Cinemas is one of the key movie distributors in Tamil Nadu and has forayed into the music business with Think Music to distribute Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam movie soundtracks via digital media and Purplenote to distribute non-movie contemporary music.

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