Funtabulous: The new, swank multiplex at Spring City Mall in Hinoo, Ranchi, readies for its debut sometime next week. Picture by Hardeep Singh

After Olympics in London, it is plexathon in Ranchi.

Already home to two big-ticket multiplexes — viz. Eylex and Glitz — the capital will give inferiority complex to its lesser cousins (read Jamshedpur and Dhanbad) with its third and thrilling three-screen cinema debuting next week.

Fun Cinemas at Spring City Mall in Hinoo will be Jharkhand’s fifth multiplex, considering the three-screen Eylex in Jamshedpur and four-screen Fame Cinemas in Dhanbad. The two-screen Popkorn, which was scheduled to debut last year at Galaxia Mall in Piska More, Ranchi, could not open shop because of NOC issues from the district administration.

The new 20,000sqft plex will offer as many as 800 seats to movie buffs in gold, silver and couple lounges. Its three screens will boast state-of-the-art technology and three-way surround sound. Now, add munch to movies, masti, magic and you have a 2,500ft food court to spice up your cine experience. A gaming zone will further increase the fun quotient.

“Preparations are almost over. We are in the final stages of licence clearance. Ticket costs are also being worked out,” said Sanjeev Gupta, director of Spring City Mall developer LMB Sons, which also hosts food court Lemon n Ice.

Gupta, who refused to reveal the project cost, said Fun Cinemas would be Eylex’s attractive neighbour where friends and family could spend several memorable evenings. “Life has become busy and films are easy means of recreation. Ranchi did not have proper cinemas even two years ago. When the first multiplex came up, people loved it. But, options are still limited and we are confident of striking the right chord with our services. We are sanguine that people won’t have a problem embracing another new multiplex,” he said.

Gupta also pointed out that since markets in metros were reaching a saturation point, it was only natural for developers to go hopping to tier-II and tier-III towns and cities to tap new audience.

“Our aim is to provide residents of Ranchi with wholesome entertainment. The city is increasingly becoming brand conscious with more and more lifestyle chains setting up shop. Talking of films, PVR Cinemas is expected to enter the fray here next year,” said another official of Spring City Mall.

Hopes are also high for Popkorn. Vikram Shahdeo, proprietor of Galaxia Mall, said they were in the process of clearing bottlenecks. “The project got delayed owing to technical reasons, but we are hoping for a smooth debut early next month,” he added.

GenX is already thrilled. “Not all Hollywood movies are screened here as cinema options are limited. Small single-screen halls cannot afford foreign flicks and the existing multiplexes have their own constraints. But, if new cinemas come up, audience like us can hope to have a greater exposure to good films,” said Shalini Sinha, a media student at Ranchi University.