Digitization of Indian cinema influences all the three aspects of a movie — pre-production, production and post-production. Digitization goes beyond and has revolutionized the distribution of movies. It has expanded the sheer reach of Indian cinema.

Digitization was initiated in Indian movies in 2005-2006. The real momentum came in 2008-2009. A film like Singh is King was released in 415 digital theatres. Ghajini was released in 1200 digital prints. It made inroads into small-town screens across India on the same day as in the metros.

Producers benefit as they can increase as they can increase the number of prints without any additional cost. There is a larger reach. The scope of piracy is reduced. There are quicker returns on investment. Small-budget films can be distributed efficiently. Old-films can be re-released as an additional revenue stream.

Out of 12,900 movie theatres in India, a little over 10 per cent were digital. By 2013, there were around 5000 plus digital screens across India. (FICCI-KPMC M&E Report,2009).