Munish Sood
Mandi
Two-screen multiplex coming up at U Mall; ticket and food prices to remain customer-friendly, says Director Nitish Sharma
A major entertainment and commercial transformation is on the horizon for Mandi as Himachal Pradesh’s first-ever PVR multiplex is set to open at the upcoming U Mall by January next year. The project is being described as a landmark development not only for Mandi but also for the state’s evolving urban landscape, as it will mark the first PVR multiplex in any Tier-3 city and also in Himachal Pradesh.
The upcoming multiplex, which will feature two modern cinema screens, is expected to redefine the movie-watching experience for residents of Mandi and adjoining districts who currently travel to cities like Chandigarh and Delhi for premium cinematic experiences.
Speaking exclusively to The Newz Radar, Nitish Sharma, Director of U Mall, said the PVR facility is expected to become operational within the next ten months and has been designed with a strong focus on affordability and customer convenience.
“We are making every possible effort to keep ticket prices affordable for local audiences. Even the food and beverage prices inside the cinema hall will be kept as reasonable as possible,” Sharma said.
He added that the core objective behind bringing PVR to Mandi is to encourage people to return to the big-screen experience instead of limiting entertainment to home viewing platforms.
“Our vision is simple — we want people to enjoy films the way they are meant to be experienced, inside a world-class cinema hall. Every aspect connected to customer comfort and affordability has been carefully planned, including parking charges, which will also remain economical,” he stated.
According to Sharma, the arrival of PVR in Mandi will mark a historic shift in the entertainment culture of Himachal Pradesh.
“This will be Himachal’s first PVR multiplex and it has the potential to completely change the cinema-viewing history of the state. People who earlier had to visit metropolitan cities like Chandigarh or Delhi to experience premium multiplex culture will now get the same experience in Mandi itself,” he added.
The U Mall project is also expected to bring several major national and international retail brands to Mandi, significantly altering the commercial and lifestyle landscape of the town.
“Big brands are also coming to the mall, and this development is going to change both the direction and the future growth pattern of Mandi permanently,” Sharma said.
PVR INOX, India’s largest and most premium multiplex chain, was formed in 2023 following the merger of PVR Cinemas and INOX Leisure. The company currently operates more than 1,700 screens across over 350 properties in India and Sri Lanka and is known for pioneering the multiplex revolution in India after launching the country’s first modern multiplex in Saket, New Delhi, in 1997.
The entry of such a major national entertainment brand into a Tier-3 hill city is being viewed as a strong indicator of Mandi’s rapidly growing commercial importance and changing consumer aspirations.
