In this Industry Spotlight discussion, Rajesh Mishra, Executive Director and Group CEO of UFO Moviez India Limited, joined Lohita Sujith, Sr. Director, Copyright & Digital Economy, Motion Picture Association, to share insights into the evolution of digital cinema in India and his vision for expanding access to quality film experiences. Drawing on decades of experience in film, television, and print, Mishra explained how understanding production, distribution, and commercial dynamics shaped the company’s approach to digital cinema.
He described how traditional film prints had been costly and logistically complex, while digital cinema allowed a single copy to be delivered electronically to thousands of screens simultaneously, reducing costs and enabling wider releases. UFO Movies leveraged proprietary satellite technology to reach cinemas across India, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, without cluster-based constraints.

Rajesh highlighted the impact of digital cinema on revenue growth and job creation, noting how tighter control over show timings and licensing supported the rise of India’s 100 crore and 500 crore club films. He also discussed challenges, including low screen density and complex, state-specific regulations, and emphasized the need for deregulation and single-window clearances to encourage cinema expansion.

Looking ahead, he envisioned UFO Movies driving high-quality, affordable cinema experiences, creating immersive theater offerings, and using data to optimize distribution—ensuring audiences had compelling reasons to visit cinemas in the era of home streaming.