PVR buys controlling stake in SPI cinemas

Leading cinema exhibition company PVR Ltd has agreed to buy 71.7% stake in SPI Cinemas for Rs. 633 crore. SPI, which runs the iconic Sathyam Cinema in Chennai, has a network of 76 screens across 17 properties and 10 cities across Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Mumbai and Andhra Pradesh. Other cinema brands operated by SPI include Palazzo, The Cinema, S2 and Escape. Moreover, SPI has a pipeline of more than 100 screens, which are expected to become operational over the next five years.

As per the press statement issued by PVR, “The company would acquire 222,711 equity shares of SPI Cinemas, constituting 71.7 % of the paid-up equity share capital of SPI, from existing shareholders for a total consideration of ₹633 crore”,

“It will also issue 1.6 million equity shares of PVR Ltd, constituting approximately 3.3% of the diluted paid-up equity share capital of the company, pursuant to a scheme of amalgamation between SPI and PVR.” The transaction is likely to be closed in the next 30 days.