before establishing permanent theatres. Over the years, the family built a strong presence in the exhibition business, with Mangala becoming one of Pune’s most iconic single screen theatres and earning the trust of generations of movie lovers.
By the mid 1990s, the arrival of home video led many to believe that the era of large single screen theatres was ending. While others saw uncertainty, the Chaphalkar Brothers saw an opportunity to reinvent the cinema experience. The idea had taken shape during Prakash Chaphalkar’s visit to Europe in 1985, where he studied the emerging multiplex concept. Convinced that smaller, technologically advanced theatres offering greater comfort and choice represented the future, the family began working towards bringing this model to Pune.
After years of planning and obtaining government approvals, that vision became reality on 19 April 2001 with the launch of City Pride on Satara Road, Maharashtra’s first multiplex. The response was overwhelming, and three years later another multiplex was established at Kothrud. At the time, India had only a few multiplexes in Delhi, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. As multiplex culture began to gain momentum, theatre owners, developers, and entrepreneurs from across the country travelled to Pune to meet the Chaphalkar brothers and understand the concept firsthand. Their guidance and experience helped shape the growth of multiplexes across India, where the number has now grown to well over a thousand.
For the Chaphalkar Brothers, success is rooted in integrity and discipline. They believe in conducting business in complete compliance with the law while ensuring the highest standards of customer service. These values have guided the family for decades.
The Chaphalkar family’s association with TJSB Sahakari Bank began in 1999, when the bank opened its first Pune branch at the City Pride premises. Today, this 27-year relationship continues to be built on trust and mutual respect. Chaphalkar Brothers appreciate the bank’s prompt service, customer centric approach and willingness to understand their business needs, making TJSB a trusted banking partner throughout their journey.
The family’s entrepreneurial journey later expanded into real estate, with the next generation leading residential and redevelopment projects across Pune. At the same time, innovation continues to drive their cinema business. Their recently launched seven screen multiplex at Kharadi features a dedicated Dolby Vision Screen, introduced for the first time in India, offering moviegoers an immersive cinematic experience.
At the age of 78, Arvind & Prakash, at the age of 75, believe the future belongs to the younger generation namely 5 brothers Gaurav, Pushkaraj, Shriniwas, Rishikesh & Sagar and encourage them to take the business forward with fresh ideas. From the iconic Mangala theatre to Maharashtra’s first multiplex and the latest Dolby Vision technology, the Chaphalkar brothers have continually embraced change while remaining true to the values that built their legacy. Their journey is a remarkable example of vision, perseverance and innovation shaping an entire industry.
