Hyderabad, Dec 4 (IANS): Mexican multiplex chain Cinepolis is planning to double the number of screens in India next year. It is planning to open 80 new screens.

The Mexico-based company, which operates over 3,300 screens in 11 countries, opened its first multiplex in Hyderabad. The five-screen multiplex has taken to 84 the number of Cinepolis screens in the country.

Devang Sampat, Head - Strategy, Cinepolis, told IANS that 80 more screens are in various stages of fit-out and would be ready in next six to nine months. For every screen, the company is investing Rs.2 crore.

Cinepolis, the fourth largest multiplex chain in India, plans to have 500 screens by 2017. Cinepolis currently has presence in 13 cities and plans to expand it to 13 more cities.

Started in 2009, Cinepolis currently operates at Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bangalore, Bhopal, Hubli, Jaipur, Ludhiana, Mangalore, Mumbai, Patna, Pune, Surat, and Thane.

Sampath said 50 screens would come up in Andhra Pradesh. A multiplex will be launched soon in Vijayawada.

The five-screen multiplex, which has come up at Manjeera Mall here, is all-digital, RealD 3-D equipped and will screen more than 25 shows every day. It has a seating capacity of more than 1400 patrons.