What if premium cinema wasn’t just for big cities but for every town with a dream of the big screen? This bold vision sparked a new cinema chain-one that raced forward with a smart franchise-first model, planting cutting-edge projection, immersive sound, and luxurious seating across under-represented markets. In an exclusive conversation with TheatreWorld, the founders of Connplex, Rahul Dhyani and Anish Patel, revealed how this rapid expansion combines agile operations with a consistent premium experience to rewrite the rules of Indian cinema.
Connplex promotes itself as India’s fastest-growing smart luxury cinema chain. How did you define and intentionally pursue this brand positioning?
Rahul Dhyani and Anish Patel At Connplex, we positioned ourselves as India’s fastest-growing smart luxury cinema chain by addressing two big gaps- luxury beyond metros and affordable accessibility. We intentionally pursued this by expanding smartly into emerging cities through our scalable franchise model, delivering premium experiences with luxurious recliners, advanced projection, and immersive Dolby surround sound-all at prices that remain truly affordable. We harness smart technology and agile operations to drive growth beyond traditional cinema models.
Could you tell us where, when, and how the idea of Connplex Cinemas ignited?
Rahul Dhyani and Anish Patel: For both of us, cinema has always been more than just entertainment it is an experience, a dream, and a universal language of storytelling. The idea of Connplex Cinemas was born out of this shared passion and the realisation that, while India is one of the largest film-loving nations, premium cinema experiences were still limited to major cities and metropolitan areas. We asked ourselves – why should only a handful of cities enjoy luxury recliners, gourmet snacks, and world-class sound and projection? Why not every town, every community? That’s where the vision of Connplex took shape: to redefine movie-watching across India by blending luxury with affordability.
What is the long-term vision for Connplex? Where do you see the brand in the next 5-10 years?
Rahul Dhyani and Anish Patel: At Connplex, our long-term vision is to redefine moviegoing as an extraordinary experience, not just an outing. Over the next 5-10 years, we envision Connplex as one of the most beloved and rapidly expanding cinema brands in India, with a strong presence across multiple states and cities. Our focus is not only on expanding numbers but also on setting new benchmarks in technology, comfort, and hospitality. With our signature formats- Luxuriance, Signature, and Express – we are building a future where audiences enjoy world-class cinemas that feel both aspirational and welcoming.
With 30+ franchises and 300+ screens pan-India, what’s your model for evaluating and selecting new franchise partners?
Rahul Dhyani and Anish Patel: At Connplex Cinemas, we believe that expansion is not just about adding numbers but about building the right partnerships. Our evaluation model for new franchise partners goes beyond financial capability – we look for vision alignment, passion for cinema, and a long-term commitment to redefining the moviegoing experience. We seek out locations both emerging and established-that have the potential to blossom into true cultural hubs through cinema, and look for partners who deeply resonate with our values of innovation, exceptional hospitality, and genuine customer delight; at the same time, we are drawn to collaborators eager to grow with us over the long haul, nurturing scalability and shared brand building through the years.
What challenges and lessons have arisen when scaling across diverse Indian markets?
Rahul Dhyani and Anish Patel: Scaling across diverse Indian markets has been both exciting and challenging. Each region in India carries its own cultural pulse, viewing preferences, and cinema going habits. For us at Connplex, the biggest challenge has been ensuring that while we bring a standardised world-class cinema experience, we also respect and adapt to local sensibilities. For example, language preferences vary dramatically – what works in Gujarat may not necessarily resonate in Andhra Pradesh or Bihar. Similarly, audience expectations around food & beverage, pricing, and even show timings can differ. The lesson we’ve learnt is simple but powerful: India is not one market, it’s many markets stitched together. This balance has enabled us to win over audiences in new markets quickly. Ultimately, the biggest takeaway is that listening to our audiences and staying agile is key. Every new city teaches us something, and that learning becomes the foundation for the next expansion.
What ‘smart’ or ‘tech-driven’ features truly differentiate the Connplex experience?
Rahul Dhyani and Anish Patel: At Connplex, every detail is carefully designed to redefine the moviegoing journey with comfort, technology, and hospitality at its heart. If you ask what makes us truly smart and different? The answer lies in what we offer; we design every Connplex journey to be effortlessly luxurious-from instant e-ticketing and QR entry that wipe out long queues, to valet parking and inviting lounges that put guests at ease before the film even begins. Inside, we elevate comfort with thoughtfully appointed seating-each seat boasts its own armrests, food tray, and focus light-while those seeking extra indulgence can stretch out in couple loungers, recliner sofas, or podium style VIP chairs with unbeatable viewing angles. Every show dazzles through immersive Dolby Surround Sound, SpectraX LED screens, and 2K & 3D projection-delivering sharp visuals, booming sound, and electrifying immersion.
How do you balance implementing cutting-edge features with maintaining cost efficiency and consistent quality across sites?
Rahul Dhyani and Anish Patel: For us at Connplex, innovation isn’t about chasing trends – it’s about creating smarter cinemas. Every decision, from seating design to energy use, is built around two principles: elevating the audience experience and ensuring long-term efficiency. Our three formats Luxuriance, Signature, and Express give us the flexibility to adapt to any market without compromising on quality. By blending comfort with technology and sustainability with scalability, Connplex is shaping a cinema model that’s built not just for today’s audiences, but for the future of entertainment.
What marketing tactics (digital, social, and partnerships) have driven your strongest customer growth and retention?
Rahul Dhyani and Anish Patel: At Connplex Cinemas, our strongest customer growth and retention come from a digital-first strategy, amplified by social storytelling and smart partnerships. On the digital front, our focus is twofold – building audience connect and strengthening investor confidence. For audiences, our quirky campaigns and trending content spark conversations, keep us top of mind, and nurture long term loyalty. For investors, the digital ecosystem works as a lead generation and trust-building engine- every campaign is measurable, scalable, and cost-efficient, giving us not just visibility but a consistent flow of qualified leads, transparent insights, and predictable growth opportunities. Our social media presence is built around creating conversations, not just promotions. In short, our growth has come from one simple formula: digital that delights audiences and assures investors, social media that builds community, and partnerships that create lasting value.
In a competitive market with other chains around, what have you found to be Connplex’s strongest competitive advantages? Safety, hygiene, food quality, and seat comfort how do you ensure consistency across all franchise locations?
Rahul Dhyani and Anish Patel: What sets Connplex apart is our focus on a space that was long underserved in India. While the big names have built their dominance in metros, we’ve made it our mission to bring world-class cinema experiences to towns where aspiration runs high but access is limited. For us, cinema is not just entertainment; it’s aspiration, identity, and access. Our core advantage is built on three pillars: a smart expansion model that allows us to scale rapidly into underserved markets where others hesitate; delivering a premium yet affordable cinema experience-replete with luxurious seating, advanced sound systems, and state-of-the-art projection-so that audiences never feel short-changed due to geography; and harmonising local relevance with national brand standards, ensuring both consistent reliability and the capability to scale efficiently across regions. But expansion means nothing without consistency. And that’s where we’re uncompromising. As directors, our philosophy is simple: ‘No Matter Which Connplex You Walk Into, The Experience Should Feel The Best, Premium, Safe, and Memorable.’
What notable challenges did you face during expansion?
Rahul Dhyani and Anish Patel: Every expansion comes with its own challenges. For us, navigating regulatory clearances and licensing was like the first act – necessary but often time-consuming. The real drama, however, usually unfolded in real estate – finding the right location that isn’t just commercially viable, but also resonates with the pulse of the local community. Adding to that, India’s diversity means audience preferences vary widely; what excites a cinephile in Patna may not be what draws crowds in Vadodara. These hurdles, though demanding, are what sharpen our vision and fuel our determination to keep expanding smarter and stronger. But these aren’t setbacks – they’re part of our story. Every challenge pushes us to- adapt smarter, design cinemas that feel local yet world-class, and refine a model that blends compliance, convenience, and cultural connect.
Could Connplex explore alternate entertainment offerings?
Rahul Dhyani and Anish Patel: Yes, very soon! At Connplex, we see ourselves not just as a cinema chain, but as a complete entertainment ecosystem. Movies will always be at our core, but the future of Connplex is about offering much more than that. With GamePlex by Connplex, we are bringing immersive arcade and gaming experiences that turn every visit into a day-out destination for families, friends, and young audiences. Alongside this, StudioX by Connplex is shaping up as our dedicated distribution and content platform, creating new opportunities for regional, indie, and mainstream creators to reach audiences across India. We are also collaborating with a wide range of live events and cultural showcases to keep Connplex buzzing with energy even beyond film screenings. Through group bookings and private screenings, Connplex goes beyond movies – offering spaces for celebrations, corporate events, and community experiences, all under one roof.
How would you describe the core values and culture of Connplex as a company and as a cinema experience?
Rahul Dhyani and Anish Patel: Connplex as a company is built on the values of integrity, innovation, and inclusivity. We believe in doing business with complete transparency, fostering trust with our partners, and always keeping our audiences at the heart of every decision. Our culture is entrepreneurial yet collaborative we encourage new ideas, embrace creativity, and work as a team to constantly raise the bar for the cinema industry. At the same time, we stay grounded with a people-first mindset, ensuring that whether it’s our investors, employees, or audiences, everyone feels valued and connected to the Connplex journey. In essence, Connplex’s culture is about being dynamic, customer-driven, and growth oriented, while never losing the warmth and passion that make cinema magical.
How do you empower and align your franchisees to uphold your brand promise across regions and service models?
Rahul Dhyani and Anish Patel: At Connplex Cinemas, our franchisees are not just partners but an extension of our brand vision. We empower them through comprehensive training, continuous guidance, and access to strong operational and marketing support, ensuring that the Connplex promise of a premium and memorable movie experience is consistently upheld across all regions and service models. At the same time, we encourage them to bring in local insights, which helps us stay culturally relevant while maintaining a uniform standard of excellence. This balance of consistency and flexibility allows every Connplex location – whether Luxuriance, Signature, or Express – to deliver an experience that feels unique to its city, yet unmistakably true to the Connplex brand.
For a franchise owner: What support, tech tools, and training does Connplex provide to franchise partners when onboarding and operating a new location?
Rahul Dhyani and Anish Patel: At Connplex Cinemas, we don’t just hand over a franchise – we build a partnership. When a new location comes on board, our priority is to make the journey smooth, exciting, and future-ready. That means we train the entire team to deliver not just great service, but memorable experiences that keep audiences coming back. We back this with smart technology, so that our partners can focus on growth while the systems take care of efficiency. But what truly makes the difference is the constant guidance and connection. Even after the grand opening, our team stays by the partner’s side, ensuring every show runs like clockwork and every campaign creates buzz.
As a founder, which milestone or location stands out as the biggest turning point or proof of concept for Connplex?
Rahul Dhyani and Anish Patel: For us, the biggest turning point wasn’t tied to a single location, but to the moment we saw audiences in smaller towns embrace Connplex with the same excitement and pride as big cities. That was the real proof of concept – when people walked in, experienced the comfort, the technology, the service, and said, ‘This feels world-class.’ That validation shows us we’re on the right path. For us, it’s never just about opening cinemas – it’s about reshaping how communities perceive entertainment and proving that premium experiences can belong everywhere. The continuous flow of overwhelming Google reviews and feedback from our audiences strengthens this belief every day – because nothing speaks louder than the love and trust of our stakeholders.
What’s the one message or advice that you could put forth to new cinema owners?
Rahul Dhyani and Anish Patel: Our one piece of advice to new cinema owners would be this – don’t just build a cinema, build an experience. Audiences today don’t come only for a movie; they come for a memory. Every detail matters from the seats they sink into, to the sound that surrounds them, to the warmth of service they receive. Focus on creating that wow moment every time a guest walks in, and the numbers will naturally follow. At Connplex, we always say – if you give your audience a reason to come once, they’ll return a hundred times. Cinema is not just about screens, it’s about stories – and that includes the story of your brand.