PVR ties up with Thai firm for bowling alleys

Gurgaon, March 10 (IANS) Multiplex chain PVR Ltd Tuesday joined hands with Thailand-based entertainment giant Major Cinemas to open bowling alleys in the country.

Bowling is a sport in which players attempt to score points by rolling a ball along a flat surface called the lane into objects called pins. The building where the sport is held is known as a bowling alley.

The two companies have set up a joint venture in which PVR will hold 51 percent stake to set up Major Cinemas's Blu-O brand of bowling alleys in India.

The first alley was opened in Gurgaon Tuesday.

'This is another step towards our continuous efforts to evolve PVR from a filmed entertainment company to a retail entertainment player with a focus to enhance the out-of-home entertainment experience for our patrons,' PVR chairman and managing director Ajay Bijli said.

This venture plans to set up about 150-200 more lanes in the next three years in other Indian cities.

Added Somkit Tantadvanichkul, chief executive Major Cineplex Group: 'With the vast experience of operating bowling and allied entertainment activities that we possess along with PVR's understanding of Indian consumers, we have created an outstanding product and I am sure that people in India will surely love it.'