PVR to acquire SPI Cinemas

PVR Ltd. will buy SPI Cinemas, south India’s largest cinema chain and owner of the iconic Sathyam Cinemas in Chennai in a transaction valued at ₹850 crore.

The deal would help PVR, which is listed on the stock exchanges, strengthen its base in Tamil Nadu, a key movie market.

As per the terms of the proposal, PVR would buy 2,22,7711 equity shares or 71.7% stake in SPI Cinemas from existing shareholders for a total consideration of ₹633 crore. This involves buying 1,91,534 equity shares or 61.65% stake of SPI from SS Theatres LLP and 31,177 equity shares, or 10.04% stake, in SPI from S.V. Swaroop Reddy, respectively. Further, PVR would issue 1.6 million shares or 3.3% shares in PVR as part of the transaction. Based on PVR Ltd.’s closing share price of ₹1,317.20 on Friday, the 3.3% stake amounts to ₹210.75 crore. Overall, the cash and stock transaction is valued at ₹843.75 crore. PVR currently operates a cinema circuit comprising 638 screens at 137 properties in 54 cities (19 States and UTs), serving 76 million patrons annually.

Post-transaction, PVR’s total screen count will increase to 706 screens across 152 properties and 60 cities.

The acquisition will also propel PVR as the seventh-largest cinema exhibitor in the world in terms of annual admissions at its theatres, which will be in excess of 100 million, according to a statement.

As on March 2018, SPI had total assets of ₹319.63 crore and a turnover of ₹309.60 crore. Ajay Bijli, chairman-cum-managing director, PVR Ltd., said the transaction is a significant step in helping the firm achieve its goal of 1,000 screens by 2020.

The statement added there was also a provision for the customary call/put option for the firm to buy the remaining 28.31% stake in SPI from SS Theatres LLP at an aggregate price not exceeding ₹300 crore, if triggered.