As a cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that I’m part of the exciting news about Belgium-based Barco, a pioneer in cinema technology, introducing their High Dynamic Range (HDR) by Barco premium cinema technology here in India. This technological advancement is set to enhance our movie-watching experience!
The business has sealed two agreements, which will result in 80 or more high dynamic range (HDR) laser projectors by Barco being installed in Indian cinemas, as well as those in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, by the year 2030. Furthermore, Prasad Film Labs in Chennai has inaugurated India’s premier HDR color grading theater, outfitted with a Barco projector, to cater to production and post-production needs for both domestic and international projects.
At our cutting-edge facility, we’ve installed the Barco HDR projector, boasting a massive 51-foot screen and FilmLight’s Baselight 6 color grading system. Our services encompass HDR color grading, mastering, and the production of deliverables tailored for both cinema and home entertainment. As India’s longest-standing postproduction house, we’ve always aimed to introduce the most advanced cinema technologies from around the globe. The Barco HDR technology is a prime example of this commitment—a natural fit for our operations and a valuable addition to the Indian cinema industry. Notably, this facility was once a large recording theater, but has now undergone a complete transformation into a brand-new build. [Prasad CTO Abhishek Prasad] commented on this, stating, “We’ve consistently worked to bring the freshest and most innovative technologies from the global cinema scene to India. The Barco HDR technology is one such example—an ideal choice for us to embrace and share with the Indian film industry.
Over the course of the next five years, a multiyear contract with Qube Cinema will establish at least ten top-tier cinemas annually within our region. Furthermore, The Digital Infra (TDI) has entered into a strategic partnership with the cinema technology developer to set up approximately 30 premium movie screens in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh by 2027.
The first projector utilizing the Qube deal will debut at AMB Cinemas, Hyderabad, opening on July 27. AMB Cinemas is a collaboration between Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu and Asian Cinemas, headed by Suniel Narang and Barath Narang. As stated by Qube CEO Harsh Rohatgi, “Upon experiencing their newest Lightsteering technology, we recognized that it would enhance both filmmakers’ offerings and viewers’ enjoyment of movies in HDR. … We are delighted to have our long-term exhibitor partner Asian Cinemas join us on this venture and introduce this technology at three of their upcoming screens in India.”
The first Qube deal projector will be introduced at AMB Cinemas, Hyderabad, opening July 27. This partnership between Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu and Asian Cinemas, led by Suniel Narang and Barath Narang, will showcase the latest Lightsteering technology from Qube that offers a premium visual experience in HDR. We’re thrilled to have Asian Cinemas use this technology at three of their Indian screens as part of our journey together.
The initial installation under the TDI agreement will take place at Sri Melody Theatre in Vizag, marking its opening this summer. This location is an excellent platform for demonstrating this groundbreaking format outside of the U.S. and UK, providing Indian audiences with a premium cinematic experience characterized by increased brightness, deep black levels, and outstanding visual impact. According to TDI director Kamalakannan Duraikannu, this venue offers an ideal setting for showcasing such innovations.
According to Gerwin Damberg, executive vice president of Barco Cinema, India will be the third nation to implement Barco’s latest HDR projector. Excited participants anticipate introducing top-tier high-dynamic range projection in theaters across the region.
In the pipeline for both mastering and release, you’ll find titles such as Universal’s “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Jurassic World: Reborn,” along with Sony’s “The Karate Kid: Legacies” and “28 Years On.
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2025-05-29 18:18