The Multiplex Association of India (MAI) has expressed significant apprehensions about Netflix’s planned acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, warning that this move may jeopardize India’s multiplex industry and the broader cinema economy.
In a statement on Saturday, MAI asserted that the acquisition of a prominent worldwide studio by a streaming platform that has “historically deprioritized” theatrical releases constitutes a direct competitive and economic threat.
On Friday, Netflix announced a USD 72 billion cash-and-stock agreement to acquire Warner Bros Discovery’s studio and streaming operations, encompassing HBO Max and DC Studios. The transaction is anticipated to conclude following Warner’s spin-off of Discovery Global into a new publicly traded entity in the third quarter of 2026.
MAI President Kamal Gianchandani emphasized that India’s theatrical market relies on scale, variety, and ethnic diversity. Nonetheless, Netflix’s constrained and “exceedingly restrictive” strategy regarding theatrical releases raises concerns about diminished high-caliber content for cinemas and the potential for abbreviated—or entirely nonexistent— theatrical windows.
He stated that Warner Bros has consistently been a significant collaborator for Indian exhibitors, frequently enhancing the release schedule with robust global and local films. Gianchandani cautioned that a consolidation of this kind could restrict profits, diminish audience options, and undermine the overall ecology of production, distribution, and display.
MAI stated that it will continue to address these concerns with regulators in India and beyond. The group emphasized that theaters are essential cultural venues and significant economic contributors, sustaining millions of jobs across production, distribution, exhibition, food and beverage, and auxiliary sectors.
Established in 2002 under FICCI, MAI encompasses around 11 movie chains managing more than 550 multiplexes and about 3,000 screens across the country.
