AMB Cinemas, the premium multiplex brand co-owned by Mahesh Babu and Asian Cinemas, recently debuted in Bengaluru. The Bengaluru facility, named AMB Cinemas Kapali, opened on January 16. There is a view that the multiplex has locational disadvantages.
As per industry observers, Majestic is not where it should have been built. "AMB Bengaluru is in a very wrong location. It should have been in an IT catchment area. Majestic is a bygone commercial area with heavy traffic and predominantly lower- and middle-class families, along with nearby lodges. For the same reason, Chitralaya, Urvasi, and Naaz Centre plexes aren’t as popular," trade analyst Deepak Kodela writes.
While Majestic is the center of the Bengaluru city geographically, it is a logistical nightmare. For someone living in Whitefield or Sarjapur, driving to Majestic for a movie feels like an arduous trek through congestion. The area is dominated by transit hubs, budget lodges, and wholesale markets.
On the other hand, areas like Malleshwaram, Rajajinagar, and Sadashivanagar offer a catchment area. "For these residents, going to Phoenix Marketcity (Whitefield) is too far, and AMB provides a luxury tier they previously had to travel across the city for," a commentator adds.
