Cineline India Limited , a prominent player in the Indian film exhibition industry, has announced significant leadership changes and reported robust financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026.

Leadership Reappointments

The Board of Directors of Cineline India has approved the re-appointment of Mr. Rasesh Kanakia as Executive Chairman and Mr. Himanshu Kanakia as Managing Director for five-year terms, effective from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2031. Both appointments are subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting.

Mr. Rasesh Kanakia, who has been serving as Chairman since the company's incorporation, brings 40 years of career experience to his role. Mr. Himanshu Kanakia, with 37 years of experience, has been the Managing Director since the company's inception.

Remuneration Revision

The Board has also approved a revision in remuneration for Mr. Ashish Rasesh Kanakia, who holds a senior management position. This change is pending shareholder approval at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

Q1 FY26 Financial Highlights

Cineline India has reported impressive financial results for Q1 FY26:

The company's total revenue increased by 27% year-over-year, while EBITDA more than doubled, showcasing significant improvement in operational efficiency.

Operational Performance

Cineline India's operational metrics also showed positive trends:

The company witnessed growth across all key operational parameters, with notable increases in Average Ticket Price (ATP) and Spend Per Head (SPH).

Strategic Developments

Cineline India has successfully monetized its hotel asset, Hyatt Centric Goa, for an enterprise value of INR 270 crores. This move has facilitated a total debt reduction of INR 228 crores, leading to a debt-free status for the company. The surplus funds are being deployed towards expanding the core film exhibition business.

Expansion Plans

The company has outlined plans to open 9 new screens by December 2025, including 3 in Bareilly, 2 in Chennai, and 4 in Belgaum. This expansion aligns with Cineline India's strategy to strengthen its presence in the film exhibition market.

As of June 30, 2025, Cineline India operates 19 cinemas with 77 screens across 13 cities, offering over 19,000 seats to moviegoers.

With these strategic moves and strong financial performance, Cineline India appears well-positioned for continued growth in the competitive film exhibition industry.

Cineline India Limited , a prominent player in the Indian film exhibition industry, has reported robust financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, marking significant growth and strategic developments.

Strong Financial Performance

The company witnessed a substantial 27% year-on-year increase in total revenue, reaching ₹46.99 crore in Q1 FY26 compared to ₹36.92 crore in the same period last year. This growth was primarily driven by strong performance in the film exhibition business.

Cineline's EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) saw a remarkable 103% surge, climbing to ₹7.38 crore from ₹3.63 crore in the previous year. The EBITDA margin improved significantly, rising from 9.8% to 15.7%, showcasing enhanced operational efficiency.

Key Operational Metrics

The company's operational metrics demonstrated robust growth:

Strategic Developments

Debt-Free Status Achieved

In a significant move, Cineline India Limited has achieved debt-free status after selling its hotel asset, Hyatt Centric Goa, for an enterprise value of ₹270 crore. The proceeds were used to reduce the company's total debt by ₹228 crore, encompassing both hotel asset-related and other company debt.

Focus on Core Business Expansion

With the debt reduction, Cineline is now poised to focus entirely on expanding its core film exhibition business. The company expects to save approximately ₹22 crore annually in debt servicing, which will support regular free cash flow generation and planned expansion of new screens.

Screen Expansion Plans

Cineline currently operates 19 cinemas with 77 screens across 13 cities. The company has ambitious plans to launch 9 additional screens by December 2025, including 3 in Bareilly, 2 in Chennai, and 4 in Belgaum.

Future Outlook

Ashish Kanakia, CEO of Cineline India Limited, expressed optimism about the company's future, stating, "Over the past two years, we have tripled our market share in terms of Gross Box Office Collection, underscoring the strength and consistency of our business strategy. We are well-positioned to capitalize on the anticipated box office revival, unlocking significant upside potential."

The company expects to have cash reserves of ₹80-100 crore by FY26 to support further expansion of its film exhibition business. This includes expected cash flows from the film exhibition business during FY26, along with proceeds from warrants anticipated to be converted into equity shares in FY26.

With its debt-free status, strong operational performance, and strategic focus on expansion, Cineline India Limited appears well-positioned for continued growth in the Indian film exhibition market.