STUDIO GRONDA just completed a new signature complex for PVR Cinemas, India’s largest film distributor. The flagship movie theatre in New Delhi’s affluent Chanakyapuri neighbourhood. India’s respect for the cinematic arts and the growing affluence of the urban middle classes is reflected in PVR Chanakya; a multi screen movie theatre situated on top of a high end retail complex in Delhi. With its grand opening, it symbolizes a new turning point in the concept of experiential design, combining movie entertainment, world-class F&B services and attention with immersive technologies and streamlined luxurious design. Conceived as a boutique cinema with three auditoriums, even though each fit way over an impressive 300 guests, the design intent, taking cues from high-end retail, has created a slick yet impacting welcome façade. Studio Gronda has created an experiential theatre whereby the constrictive nature of the built area (rooftop) was solved with rich, reflective surfaces, panels, Italian marbles and artful lighting, together making the compressed layout of the various spaces (auditoriums, corridors, F&B and ticket concessions) appear spacious and larger than reality. Once guests step through the striking portal at the ground floor, they have a sense of entering another realm. As is befitting the world of cinema, lighting plays a strong part in the experience. Levitating light pieces fill double height spaces, a grand chandelier provides mesmerizing reflections.