PVR to acquire stake in Cinemax

The Board of Directors of PVR Limited (PVR) announced that it has entered into Definitive Agreements to acquire 69.27 per cent stake in Cinemax India Limited (Cinemax), a Kanakia Group entity that operates movie exhibition business in India.

PVR currently has 46 operational properties, with 213 screens and a seating capacity of 50,655 seats. Cinemax has 39 operational properties, with 138 screens and a seating capacity of 33,535 seats. This acquisition would create the largest movie exhibition chain in India with a combined strength of 351 screens at 85 locations with a total capacity of 84,190 seats. This will also give PVR a leadership position in 10 key markets across the country.

This acquisition is being carried out through its wholly owned subsidiary, Cine Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. (CHPL). CHPL would be acquiring 69.27 per cent stake owned by the promoter group of Cinemax at a price of Rs 203.65 for an all cash consideration of Rs 395 crores. The acquisition shall be followed by an open offer to the public shareholders of Cinemax India Limited for an additional 26 per cent stake for cash, as per SEBI takeover regulations.

PVR has also announced a preferential issue of equity of 1,06,25,205 shares at a price of Rs 245 per shares amounting to Rs 260 crores to Promoters, existing investor - L Capital and new private equity investor - Multiples Alternate Asset Management (Multiples). Under the preferential issue of equity shares in PVR Limited, Multiples will invest an amount of approximately Rs153 crs, L Capital would invest approximately Rs 82.3 crs and Promoters would invest approximately Rs 25cr into PVR. Post the above dilution, both Multiples Private Equity and L Capital would own approximately 15.8 per cent stake each in the company and the Promoters will hold 32 per cent stake in the Company.

Speaking on the occasion, . Ajay Bijli, Promoter of PVR said, “In order to achieve market leadership in Indian Exhibition business, PVR has been on a rapid expansion mode both through organic as well as inorganic routes. Today, with the proposed acquisition of Cinemax, we hope to create the largest movie exhibition chain in India. We are excited about the synergy potential and cost benefits that accrue from the larger scale of operations of the combined network. Cinemax has a premium portfolio of multiplex screen across India and has been a market leader in western India. We heartily welcome Cinemax team and look forward to working with them in extracting full benefits of integration and consolidation. Together, we shall strive to create value for all the stakeholders while delivering international standard movie going experience to Indian audience.”

Rasesh Kanakia, Promoter of Cinemax said, “We believe that the Exhibition business benefits from consolidation as large scale strengthens competitive advantage as well as significantly enhances operational efficiencies. This transaction enables realization of such benefits and would create significant value for all the shareholders of Cinemax. The deal will enable us to ensure greater focus on our real estate and hospitality businesses.” He further added “the deal with PVR was not only completed in record time, but with a great deal of mutual faith and respect.  We have complete faith in promoters as well as professional management team of PVR to further nurture the Cinemax brand and lead the business to new heights.”

Renuka Ramnath, Founder, Multiples Alternate Asset Management said, “We are delighted to partner with PVR at this stage, as the Company catapults into a new orbit. Given my long standing relationship with Ajay Bijli and PVR, and our deep understanding of the space, Multiples was able to move quickly and support the Company. This is a perfect example of how private equity partnerships can transcend across different stages in the life cycle of a company. I am personally elated to be part of PVR's game-changing journey yet again." 

Axis Capital Limited acted as the Investment Banker, Axis Finance acted as Arrangers for acquisition finance and Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A Shroff & Co. acted as the Legal advisor to PVR for this transaction. Trust Investment Advisors Pvt. Ltd. acted as the Investment Banker and Wadia Ghandy & Co. acted as the legal advisor to Cinemax for this transaction.