The switch from obsolete, clunky projectors to cutting-edge digital technology has left him unemployed and his

traditional skills unwanted. "They (multiplexes) have their in-house people," he said. "When I go and ask for work they say we don't need anyone. They already have their senior people working there." The Indian film industry is the world's largest, churning out more than 1,000 films each year. Most are made in the western city of Mumbai, where the Lumiere Brothers' new-fangled moving pictures premiered back in 1896. There are an estimated 12,000 cinemas in India. Of those, nearly 700 are multiplexes but that number is expected to more than double in the next three years, according to industry projections. Many of the historic single screen "talkies" that helped create legends out of actors such as Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan have either shut or been converted into multiscreens. Those that remain are often shadows of their former selves, with creaking ceiling fans, ripped seats, peeling paint and dirty lavatories. In place of the 1,000-seat Regals and Roxys with their chandeliered lobbies and 60-foot (18metre) screens are INOXes, Adlabs and PVRs -- purpose-built picture palaces with airconditioning, plush seats and even plusher carpets. Tickets for a matinee at the likes of the Shirin can still cost as little as 30 rupees (61 cents) -going up to 70 rupees for a prime balcony seat at a sought-after Saturday evening show. Audiences can expect to pay more than three times the top price for a seat at a sleek, suburban multiplex -- with even more on expensive confectionery and popcorn. But many say it is money well spent. "There are digital sound systems and better seats. In case we don't get seats for one theatre, we can also buy tickets for another theatre," said Mumbai cinema-goer Manisha Jhaveri. The changing nature of society and cinema -- not to mention a thriving market for pirated DVDs offering five of the latest movies for little as 40 rupees -- and perceived preferential treatment for multiplexes has also contributed. Multiplexes, helped by the deep pockets and lobbying of their corporate backers, which often include film studios, have benefited from large tax breaks. They can show more films, more often, making them a more lucrative proposition for distributors, D'Souza told AFP. "It hasn't been a level playing field," he said.

And whereas only four or five Bollywood blockbusters would have been shown in a year at cinemas, sometimes in 15-week runs, multiplexes and the advent of satellite and cable television have shortened the shelf-life of movies. Maximum opening weekend takings at the box office are now the bottom line, rather than overall returns, he said. "The social demographics are shifting. People are moving more towards the suburbs and beyond. Single screens have been concentrated in central Bombay or south Bombay," said D'Souza. "People don't want to travel back into town to see a film." Mumbai's experience is not unique. The trend has also been seen in other major cities, from New Delhi to Kolkata, Bangalore to Chennai, he said. The Shirin's Muhamunkar said: "The projectionists here have very good work. We all like our jobs." Whether they keep them is by no means certain. _______________________ http://www.scribd.com/doc/17277428/Multiplex-vs-Cineplex This study is all about to understand the consumers perception towards the multiplexes and toforecast the future of multiplexes. The study reveals that the future of the multiplexes is very bright and since there is sudden increase in the per capita income which led to the increase instandard of living of the natives. Now the metropolitan culture has started intruding in the cityand people are in the condition to spend more. The spurt in the nationwide standard of living of the people has led to some very drastic changes in the current scenario.T h i s s t u d y i s c a r r i e d o u t w i t h t h e h e l p o f q u e s t i o n n a i r e w h i c h d i s c l o s e s t h e e x t r a v a g a n t responses of the respondents towards the multiplexes. As per the data collected we found that allrespondents welcome the culture of multiplexes in the city. The people are very happy to have the pleasant experience of watching the movies in multiplexes which they so far used to get onlyin metropolitans but now in their homeland. The fact is quite apparent with the kind of data wehave gathered through this study which is mentioned later.In our research project our point of focus is on determining the movie viewing habits for the ageg r o u p o f 2 0 - 3 0 y e a r s o f a g e . I t i n c l u d e s t h e m e d i u m p r e f e r r e d b y t h e p e o p l e f o r w a t c h i n g movies, how frequently they watch movies and what is their monthly expenditure on it.Some key issues like strikes in multiplex, their effect on the revenue generation for multiplex and the competition between multiplex and Cineplex