Imax - named to stand for 'Maximum Image' is a format of showcasing movies, that aims at providing an immersive experience for theater audience. In layman terms, if you see a movie projection without the black bars on all four sides, then the film was either shot on a Imax camera, or shot using an Imax certified camera and then digitally remastered into Imax format for better visual quality. 

The former of the two aka 'Shot on Imax' films are rare since Imax 70mm cameras are only available to rent, are extremely expensive and need to be handled with utmost sophistication under Imax's watch. [Christopher Nolan is the only known filmmaker to shoot using Imax cameras frequently]. These movies also demand a fully immersive Imax theater for projection, which again is a costly setup to invest in. 

The latter category, knows as 'Filmed for Imax' films are relatively more popular among movie makers. It involves shooting on any Imax-certified camera, and having them digitally remastered for projection in both standard and IMAX theaters. These Imax-certified cameras can be bought, and the Red V-RAPTOR 8K VV DSMC3, ARRI ALEXA LF (4K), ARRI ALEXA Mini LF (4K), ARRI ALEXA 65 (6.5 K), Panavision DXL2 (8K), Sony VENICE (6K), and RED Monstro (8K) are some examples. 

Imax Movies - India

1. Dhoom 3 (2013) - First Indian DMR release
2. Bang Bang (2014) - DMR Release
3. Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017) - First Telugu language DMR release, Screened with Aspect ratio 1.90:1 
4. Padmaavat (2018) - First Indian 3D DMR Release
5. Gold (2018) - DMR Release
6. Thugs of Hindostaan (2018) - DMR Release
7. Saaho (2019) - First Indian film to use Imax-Certified Cameras, Screened with Aspect ratio 1.90:1 
8. RRR (2022) - Shot partially using Imax-Certified Cameras, 3D DMR Release
9. KGF: Chapter 2 (2022) - First Kannada DMR Release
10. Shamshera (2022) - DMR Release
11. Brahmastra: Part One Shiva (2022) - DMR Release
12. Ponniyin Selvan: Part One (2022) - First Tamil DMR Release
13. Pathaan (2023) - Portions shot using Imax-certified cameras, DMR Release
14. Bholaa (March 30, 2023) - DMR Release
15. Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2 (April 28, 2023) - DMR Release
16. Adipurush (June 16, 2023) - 2D, 3D DMR Release
17. Leo (October 19, 2023) - Used the Imax-certified Red V-RAPTOR 8K VV DSMC3 camera
18. Project K (Janaury 12, 2024) - First Indian movie to use the Imax-certified ARRI ALEXA 65 camera

 

In India, Hindi/Bollywood, Tamil, Telugu movies have released on the premium large IMAX format, either as conversions or as original works shot partially with IMAX-certified cameras. DMR - Digital Media Remastering ensures a full transformation of every frame of such movies with better picture quality. The partial practice is due to budgetary constraints, and even Hollywood movies that have a wider audience potential are only a handful (The Suicide Squad-2021, Dune, Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness, Top Gun: Maverick, Eternals, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, etc) that have been shot entirely on Imax-certified cameras. 

From The Set of #Leo Film ,V-RAPTOR XL - REB Camera On BOARD! @ActorVijay pic.twitter.com/1nXcFUJsLm

— ᴊᴇʀᴏᴍᴇ (@JudeJerome6) March 5, 2023

Actor Vijay's upcoming Tamil film Leo is the latest to use Imax certified cameras for filming, and a social media post from film's cinematographer Manoj Paramahansa reveals that he has used atleast 3 of these elite machines.