The chain’s new promotion ties the iconic street food to the October 2 release of Drishyam The Conclusion, sparking buzz among fans.
PVR INOX took to its official Instagram on Thursday evening to unveil a tongue‑in‑cheek offer for the upcoming thriller Drishyam The Conclusion. Movie‑goers who purchase a quartet of tickets at participating venues will be handed a free serving of pav bhaji, the buttery‑spiced mash that has become a running joke ever since the 2015 original featured the Salgaonkar family bragging about the dish.
The promotion arrives just days before the film’s October 2 theatrical debut, a date that already holds a special place in the series’ lore. In the first installment, the protagonists repeatedly claim they ate pav bhaji, a line that quickly turned into a meme circuit across social platforms. This time, the chain is capitalising on that cultural moment, turning a punchline into a tangible perk.
What the offer entails
- Purchase four tickets for Drishyam The Conclusion at select PVR INOX multiplexes.
- Redeem a single plate of pav bhaji at the venue’s food counter.
- Standard terms and conditions apply. The deal is not available at every location.
The cinema giant has not disclosed which eateries will supply the dish, leaving room for speculation. Some fans hope the partnership will involve a well‑known street‑food brand, while others think the chain might simply prepare the fare in‑house.
Director‑writer‑producer Abhishek Pathak, who spoke to Bollywood Hungama ahead of the release, laughed off any concrete plans. “I don’t know. That’s a call the marketing team will take. They’ll decide who to tie up with, whether it’s to sell Pav Bhaji or have it delivered to audiences in theatres. They may already be working on something along those lines,” he said. He added, “Hopefully, people will come and enjoy the film on October 2. And once they love it, they can go and eat Pav Bhaji!”
The offer is more than a gimmick. It shows how Indian cinema often levers pop‑culture moments to drive footfall. By linking a beloved street snack to a high‑stakes mystery thriller, PVR INOX hopes to turn casual viewers into repeat customers, especially in single‑screen towns where the franchise’s twist‑laden narrative traditionally draws crowds.
Industry insiders predict the film could open with a solid Rs 50 crore, a figure Pathak himself hinted at in a separate interview. If the Pav Bhaji tie‑in succeeds, it may set a precedent for other chains to embed culinary Easter eggs into their marketing playbooks.
For now, the deal runs until the opening weekend, after which the cinema chain is expected to roll out fresh promotions tied to the film’s box‑office performance. Fans eager to combine a thriller night with a hearty plate of Mumbai’s favourite street fare should act fast, as the limited‑time nature of the offer could see tickets and bhaji disappearing in tandem.
So, grab your friends, book four seats, and get ready to savour both a gripping plot and a comforting bowl of pav bhaji – a combo that only Bollywood could serve up.
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