PVR INOX builds a larger stage for the Oscars Film Festival; Aamer Bijli says 'It’s growing year on year'

Aamer Bijli on Oscar Film Festival

• Oscar Film Festival to feature 15 Oscar-nominated films in 23 cities, 58 cinemas
• PVR INOX targets up to 2.5 lakh admissions and Rs 7 crore in box office revenue
• Festival lineup includes both mainstream hits and niche international titles

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As the Oscar Film Festival returns to PVR after last year’s strong run, expectations are understandably high. What began as a curated showcase of Academy Award-nominated films has steadily evolved into a meaningful box office driver for PVR INOX, drawing both serious cinephiles and mainstream moviegoers.

In an exclusive conversation with Moneycontrol, Aamer Bijli, Lead Specialist – Innovation, Film Marketing and Digital Programming at PVR INOX, spoke about why this year’s edition is bigger, more confident and far more expansive.

The upcoming festival will feature 15 Oscar-nominated titles over a four-week window from February 20 to March 18, 2026, across 23 cities and 58 cinemas, including both mainstream and luxury formats.

The line-up includes internationally recognised titles such as Sinners, Marty Supreme and One Battle After Another — films that have already demonstrated solid theatrical traction in India.

According to Aamer Bijli, the expansion reflects changing audience behaviour and renewed faith in the big-screen experience, even as OTT platforms continue to grow.

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Excerpts from the Interview: 

Q: From a business perspective, how significant is the Oscar Film Festival in terms of revenue contribution for PVR INOX?

Aamer: It’s growing year on year. Last year, we were more strategic with film selection and locations, resulting in around 1.5 lakh admissions and Rs 4–4.5 crores in box office revenue. This year, with a wider footprint, we’re targeting 2–2.5 lakh admissions and approximately Rs 6.5–7 crores in GBOC.

Q: What criterias were used to select the Oscar-nominated films for the festival?

Aamer: It’s a collaborative process with the studios. Some nominated films last year couldn’t be showcased due to studio permissions. This year, many studios were more forthcoming, especially since several of the films have performed well commercially. That made it easier for us to re-release them.

Q: Will Indian Oscar-nominated films like Homebound be part of the festival?

Aamer: No. While we organised a major festival for Homebound during its original release, this particular festival is exclusively for Academy Award-nominated films within a specific three-to-four-week window.

Q: Do Oscar-winning or nominated international films attract a different or higher-spending audience compared to regular commercial films?

Aamer: Yes and no. Post-Covid, audiences have become far more discerning. With OTT and satellite access, their appetite for diverse genres and languages has increased significantly. There’s a balance — commercially successful Oscar nominees like Sinners, Avatar and Jurassic World attract a broad audience, while niche films like Bogonia, The Secret Agent, Hamlet and Value Smashing Machine appeal to a specific segment.

We’ve strategically mapped occupancies to ensure these films are released in locations where we know there’s a strong customer base. Humanise