At the ongoing WAVES 2025 Summit in Mumbai, Aamir Khan, one of India’s most celebrated actors, voiced his concerns about the country's insufficient number of movie theatres during a panel discussion titled “Studios of the Future: Putting India on World Studio Map.” Khan, who has always been a vocal advocate for the growth of the Indian film industry, compared India’s theatre infrastructure to that of global powerhouses like the US and China, pointing out the vast disparity in the number of movie screens available to the population.
Khan highlighted a significant gap in cinema access, stating that while India boasts a population of over 1.4 billion people, the country has just about 10,000 screens. In comparison, the US, with one-third of India's population, has approximately 40,000 screens, and China leads the pack with 90,000. “For a country of our size, with the love we have for films, 10,000 screens are insufficient,” Khan remarked, stressing that only a small portion of the nation’s population, roughly 2%, gets to experience blockbuster films in theatres.
The actor further emphasized the need for investment in cinema infrastructure, especially in rural and underserved areas. He pointed out that the biggest cinematic hits in India—across all languages—reach just a small fraction of the population. With his usual candor, Khan said, “If we don’t have enough screens in India, people will only hear about films but won't be able to watch them. The country has huge untapped potential, but we can only realize that by expanding our theatrical presence.”
Khan’s comments come at a time when the Indian film industry is experiencing unprecedented global recognition. At WAVES 2025, which brings together over 10,000 delegates from 90 countries, discussions on enhancing India's entertainment infrastructure are more relevant than ever. As the summit continues, Khan's call for increased investment in theatres echoes the sentiment that for India to truly lead on the world stage, the country must first ensure that every film lover has access to the magic of cinema.