Mahesh Babu's AMB Cinemas Brings IMAX Back To Hyderabad Ahead Of Rajamouli's Varanasi

For years, movie lovers in Hyderabad have had to travel elsewhere or settle for alternative premium formats to experience films on the biggest possible canvas. Now, a long-awaited change is finally on the horizon, and cinema fans across the city have plenty to celebrate.

AMB Cinemas, the exhibition chain backed by actor Mahesh Babu and Asian Cinemas, has announced that IMAX will make its return to Hyderabad after an absence of more than a decade. The city was once home to the iconic Prasads IMAX, but the venue stopped screening films in the format 11 years ago and has since operated as a PCX multiplex.

Sharing the news on Monday, AMB Cinemas unveiled plans for an IMAX screen at its upcoming AMB Classic Victory location. The company announced,

“MAX PICTURE. MAX SOUND. MAX IMMERSION. Introducing, IMAX. Coming soon only at AMB Classic Victory, Hyderabad.”

The announcement poster also carried a message directed at local moviegoers: “To the city that turns every release into a festival. To the land where cinema is a celebration. The format it always deserved is finally here.”

The development has generated significant excitement among film enthusiasts, particularly those eager to watch director SS Rajamouli’s upcoming film Varanasi in the premium format. The official social media account of the film joined the celebrations, posting, “Experience #VARANASI in IMAX in HYDERABAD and worldwide on April 7th, 2027.”

Jyesth Narang, Executive Director of the Asian Group, confirmed the development on X, writing, “Really Happy To Announce This. IMAX IS COMING BACK TO HYDERABAD! Hyderabad we finally got an IMAX Back! Will be coming in AMB Classic Sudarshan! #IMAX #Hyderabad #AMBClassic #AMBCinemas #Cinema #New.”

Fans quickly flooded social media with reactions. One excited user wrote, “Till today I was planning to travel to USA to watch @VaranasiMovie in LA for the best experience. Now, I should rethink my plan…” while several others declared they would be “seated” for the experience.

However, the new IMAX venue will not be ready in time for the release of Peddi, starring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor. Promotional material for the film mentioning IMAX had created confusion among fans, but the references were related to screenings in other regions and not Hyderabad.

According to details shared about the partnership between IMAX Corporation and Asian Cinemas, the companies have agreed to open three IMAX locations. The first, AMB Classic, is expected to begin operations before the end of 2026. Two additional locations, including another one in Hyderabad, are currently planned for 2028.

Interestingly, the announcement also fulfils a wish expressed by Rajamouli last year. In November 2025, IMAX Vice President Preetham Daniel had posted on X, “@ssrajamouli next film Varanasi is confirmed to be the 2nd filmed for IMAX titled. The movie release in 2027. The film will feature 1.43 sequences exclusively in IMAX as shown at today’s event.”

Responding at the time, Rajamouli wrote, “I really hope that by the time #Varanasi releases or even before, we’ll at least have a 1.43 IMAX screen in India and an IMAX in my land Hyderabad.”

Speaking about the return of the format, AMB Cinemas Managing Directors Suniel Narang and Bharat Narang said in a press statement, “Hyderabad’s appetite and love for cinema is unparalleled, and bringing back the prestigious IMAX format to Hyderabad is a matter of great honour and pride for AMB Cinemas.”

IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond also highlighted the company’s growing momentum in India. “2025 was our best year ever at the box office in India – powered by a dynamic slate of Hollywood and Indian films — and our strong performance is driving demand among new and existing exhibition partners in the region,” he said.