Hyderabad’s movie lovers were briefly swept into a wave of excitement following reports that Asian Cinemas would be launching a new IMAX screen in the city. The speculation began after Asian Cinemas head, Asian Suniel, hinted at an IMAX project during promotions for their film Kuberaa, saying a 70-foot-plus screen was being planned near Hakimpet. Fans were quick to interpret this as a sign that IMAX was finally returning to the city a decade after the closure of the iconic Prasads IMAX in 2014.

The news quickly went viral across social media, especially among local cinephiles who have long wished for the IMAX experience to return to Hyderabad. However, the excitement was short-lived. IMAX Corporation swiftly issued an official statement clarifying that no such deal or partnership currently exists with Asian Cinemas.

Preetham Daniel, Vice President of IMAX Corporation India, took to X (formerly Twitter) to publicly deny the claims. His statement put an end to speculation and reaffirmed that IMAX has not entered into any agreement regarding a screen in Hyderabad as of now.

Responding to the statement from IMAX, Asian Suniel offered his own clarification. In a media interaction the same day, he said, “It takes time to negotiate. We will decide in a few days. We are planning, it is not decided or signed. Just wanted to clarify.” His words indicate that while talks may be ongoing, nothing is official at this stage.

The re-emergence of this discussion highlights just how much Hyderabad misses its IMAX screen. The now-defunct Prasads IMAX was not just a theater but a cultural landmark for moviegoers across the region. Its closure left a gap that has remained unfilled for over ten years. Bringing IMAX back would not only restore a premium cinematic experience to the city but also cater to a large, loyal, and enthusiastic audience that continues to champion high-quality cinema.

While there’s no IMAX screen officially in the works right now, the door isn't closed. Both IMAX Corporation and local exhibitors seem open to the idea. Whether or not Asian Cinemas will ultimately succeed in bringing the iconic format back to Hyderabad remains to be seen but the hope and demand clearly persist.