Archive · 1 Oct 2025
PVR Inox Faces Probe Over Virtual Digital Fee Collection
Imagine a fee called VDF, meant to help movie theaters switch to digital projectors a long time ago.
Now, a big movie theater company, PVR Inox, is still collecting this fee, even though it was supposed to stop.
The people who make movies, especially smaller companies, say this is unfair.
They complained to the government, and now the government's competition watchdog is checking if PVR Inox is breaking any rules.
The company's profits did go up recently, but they are still dealing with the investigation.
The watchdog has 90 days to figure out what happened.
CCI is investigating PVR Inox regarding the collection of the virtual digital fee (VDF).
The Film and Television Producers’ Guild of India filed the complaint against PVR Inox.
The VDF was initially introduced to fund the transition to digital cinema systems.
The CCI will conduct a full probe within 90 days.
PVR Inox reported a narrowed consolidated loss in Q1FY26, with increased revenue.
- Who
- PVR Inox and the Film and Television Producers’ Guild of India
- What
- The CCI is investigating PVR Inox for allegedly continuing to collect the virtual digital fee (VDF).
- When
- The CCI ordered the investigation on September 30.
- Where
- India
- Why
- The Film and Television Producers’ Guild of India filed a complaint, alleging PVR Inox's VDF collection violates competition rules and disproportionately affects small producers.
- Company Under Investigation
- PVR Inox
- Investigating Body
- Competition Commission of India (CCI)
- Complaint Filed By
- Film and Television Producers’ Guild of India
- Issue
- Collection of Virtual Digital Fee (VDF)
- CCI's Probe Timeline
- 90 days
- PVR Inox Q1FY26 Loss
- Rs 54 crore
- Revenue Increase (YoY)
- 23%