Abheet Gupta 
In a country obsessed with cinema, it’s ironic how underserved our capital city is when it comes to world-class movie-watching experiences. The term IMAX may be plastered all over multiplexes in Delhi NCR, but cinephiles know the bitter truth—we don’t have a single real IMAX theatre. Let’s start with what IMAX actually is.
Understanding IMAX: What is 70mm IMAX?
IMAX isn’t just a larger-than-usual auditorium or a louder-than-normal audio system. At its core, IMAX is a unique projection format and theatre design that delivers unrivaled image and sound fidelity. The original IMAX format was built around 70mm film projected horizontally, allowing for a much larger frame size and greater detail—something standard digital projectors can’t match, even at 4K.
When people refer to “true IMAX” or “70mm IMAX,” they’re talking about the IMAX GT (Grand Theatre) format, built to international standards: massive curved screens, steep stadium seating, customized audio, and of course, dual 70mm film projectors. It’s an entirely different level of immersion—a kind that filmmakers like Christopher Nolan specifically shoot for and recommend.
Most so-called “IMAX” theatres in India (and worldwide) today use digital projection systems—either 2K Xenon, dual 4K Laser, or single 4K Laser setups. While the newer Laser IMAX with 12-channel audio offers impressive quality, they still pale in comparison to the spectacle of 70mm film—especially when projected on massive GT-certified screens. In simple terms: digital IMAX is a compromise, often installed in retrofitted auditoriums.
True 70mm IMAX Theatres In India
India once had proper 70mm IMAX theatres in Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad. Out of these, only two survived but aren’t what they are supposed to be:
- Prasads IMAX (Hyderabad) – Once considered among the world’s largest screens, now downgraded to a digital PCX screen after renovations, albeit still retaining its mammoth size.
- Gujarat Science City (Ahmedabad) – A true IMAX GT screen used exclusively for educational/scientific documentaries, not commercial films.
As it stands today, India does not have a single operational 70mm IMAX theatre for movies. Let that sink in.
The Delhi NCR Drought: No True IMAX in the Capital
Now let’s talk Delhi. The biggest IMAX screen in Delhi NCR is at PVR Logix, Noida, with dimensions of 40ft x 70ft—the largest in the region but now outdated. It runs on a 2K IMAX Xenon projector and is often criticized for its uncomfortable seating and aging facilities.
The newer IMAX screens at PVR Select City Walk (Saket) and PVR Priya (Vasant Vihar) feature dual 4K Laser projection with 12-channel surround sound, but their screen sizes are noticeably smaller, and neither comes close to the global GT standard. You can check out details for all 8 so called IMAX screens in Delhi NCR here.
So here’s the cold truth: none of the IMAX theatres in Delhi NCR are truly IMAX—not by screen size, not by projection format, and not by immersive quality. Which is why moviegoers in Delhi NCR now use the term “LieMAX” to describe these setups.
Delhi NCR’s LieMAX and the Price We Pay
What adds insult to injury is the cost of watching films in these so-called IMAX halls. Tickets often range from ₹500 to ₹1200, depending on demand. That’s fine—if you’re paying for the real thing. But to shell out ₹1200 for a LieMax screening of a film like Oppenheimer—a movie made for 70mm IMAX—is, frankly, a betrayal of the audience’s trust.
The appetite clearly exists. Cinephiles are willing to pay premium prices. But what are we being offered in return?
The Frustrating Lack of Vision with No Future Plans
What’s worse is that there are no plans—none—to bring 70mm IMAX to Delhi or even anywhere else in India. Granted, 70mm projection is on life support globally due to high costs and limited usage. But if there’s any place in the country that deserves one proper theatre, shouldn’t it be the capital?
Even if we accept that 70mm film projection is no longer practical, why not build a screen worthy of the IMAX brand? Look at Gujarat Science City again: their screen is a jaw-dropping 76ft x 95ft. Imagine a theatre like that in Delhi, outfitted with 4K Laser projection, 12-channel audio, and comfortable modern seating. It wouldn’t just be an upgrade—it would be a pilgrimage site for movie lovers.
Is It Too Much To Ask?
In a city with hundreds of multiplexes and millions of cinema fans, it’s tragic that Delhi NCR still doesn’t have a single screen that meets international IMAX standards. This isn’t about snobbery—it’s about respecting the art of cinema. When directors go out of their way to shoot in 70mm IMAX, when audiences pay premium ticket prices, when film is still (sometimes) projected as film, then the least a city like Delhi can do is rise to meet that passion.
- We don’t want recliners. We want resolution.
- We don’t want gimmicks. We want projection standards.
- We don’t want LieMax. We want Image Maximum.
Until then, we’ll keep watching, keep hoping—and keep demanding because Delhi deserves better!
Also, if you are looking for a community of cinephiles in Delhi NCR, be sure to check out our very own Delhi Movie Club (@delhimovieclub) with over 500 members. We hold movie meetups every weekend, trying to keep theatre viewing alive as well as classic/OTT movie screenings.
If you have any questions regarding movies or IMAX theatres in Delhi NCR, feel free to ask in the comments below. For more content, stay tuned. As usual, like, subscribe and share our articles as we here are trying to build a community of people High on Cinema!
