Pandora Just Levelled Up: PVR INOX Debuts Cutting-Edge IMAX Laser Tech in Chennai and Bengaluru
In a move set to redefine the theatrical experience for South India’s moviegoers, PVR INOX has announced a significant technological overhaul of its flagship IMAX screens. Just as James Cameron’s visual spectacle Avatar: Fire and Ash hits theatres, the cinema giant has completed a transition from traditional digital projection to the superior IMAX with Laser system at the iconic Palazzo (Nexus Vijaya Mall) in Chennai and the Nexus Mall (Koramangala) in Bengaluru.
The timing of this upgrade is strategic, catering to the massive demand for high-fidelity viewing experiences required by visually complex films like the Avatar franchise. The upgrade promises to deliver images that are sharper, brighter, and more vivid, coupled with an audio experience that is physically palpable.
A Quantum Leap in Visuals: From 2K to 4K Laser
For years, the standard for digital IMAX projection has been dual 2K Xenon projectors. While effective, this technology has its limitations regarding brightness and contrast, especially for 3D films which naturally dim the image.
According to the official announcement from PVR, the new system features “State of the Art 4K Laser Projection.” Unlike the previous bulb-based projection, the laser light engine eliminates the prism, allowing for a massive increase in brightness and contrast levels.
“Pandora just levelled up. Experience Avatar: Fire and Ash in a newly upgraded IMAX with Laser – now sharper, louder, and more immersive than ever,” PVR Cinemas stated in their official release.
For audiences, this means the blacks in deep space scenes will look truly black rather than milky grey, and the vibrant bioluminescence of Pandora’s flora will pop with unprecedented intensity. The resolution bump from 2K to 4K ensures that even on the massive IMAX screens, the pixel structure is invisible, providing a texture to the image that feels almost like looking through a window.
Sonic Immersion: The 11.1 Channel Upgrade
The visual upgrade is matched by a robust overhaul of the auditory experience. The previous setups at these locations utilized a standard 5.1 Channel Audio System. While sufficient for general surround sound, it lacks the overhead and precise object-based positioning found in modern immersive formats.
The upgraded auditoriums now boast an “Advanced Sound System with 11.1 Channel Immersive Sound.” This configuration adds height channels and additional side channels, allowing sound designers to place audio objects—like the whir of a fantastical creature’s wings or the roar of rushing water—with pinpoint accuracy anywhere in the auditorium, including directly above the audience.
The “Screen Shaker” Phenomenon
Perhaps the most intriguing addition to the technical sheet is the installation of an “IMAX High-Gain Screen with Screen Shaker.”
The “High-Gain” aspect refers to the screen’s reflectivity. A higher gain screen reflects more light back to the audience, which is crucial for maintaining brightness during 3D screenings of Avatar: Fire and Ash. The “Screen Shaker” technology (often involving bass transducers) adds a tactile dimension to the movie. When an explosion occurs or a massive beast lands on screen, the audience won’t just hear it; they will feel the vibration through the floor and seats, bridging the gap between simply watching a movie and physically inhabiting it.
A New Era for Palazzo and Koramangala
This upgrade cements the status of Palazzo in Chennai and Nexus Koramangala in Bengaluru as premier destinations for cinephiles. These locations have long been hubs for blockbuster releases, but as home theatre technology improves, cinemas are under pressure to offer something that cannot be replicated in a living room.
With Avatar: Fire and Ash releasing in multiple languages—including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam—the demand for premium large-format screens is at an all-time high. By upgrading these specific high-traffic locations, PVR INOX is ensuring that the most enthusiastic fanbases in the country experience the film exactly as the director intended.
Tickets for the upgraded experience are now available, marking a new chapter in the immersive cinema wars of South India.
