As Indian consumers seek more immersive and flexible ways to enjoy content, projectors and premium screens are fast emerging as serious contenders to traditional large-screen TVs. In this exclusive interaction, Jyoti Janda, Executive Editor, Telecom Today, spoke with Yusuf Galabhaiwala, Director of Operations at Lumina Screens, to understand the evolving preferences of Indian viewers, the growing importance of screen quality, and the shifting landscape of home entertainment—especially beyond metros.
Jyoti: With increasing access to high-quality content and better tech, how do you see Indian consumers choosing between large-screen TVs and projectors? What are the key factors influencing this shift?
Yusuf: Indian consumers are becoming more selective about how they experience content. With advancements in projection tech, more 4K content, and a growing demand for immersive viewing, the gap between TVs and projectors is shrinking. Projectors now offer a cinema-like feel at home, and choices are driven by space, budget, and lifestyle. Their ability to deliver large-scale visuals, especially in media or multi-use rooms, makes them increasingly popular. With better affordability, we’re seeing strong uptake, especially among Gen Z and young professionals.
Jyoti: Despite advancements in projection technology, TVs continue to dominate many homes. In your view, what are the clear advantages of projection setups, and what areas still need improvement or better awareness? screen can make?
Yusuf: Projection has the great benefit of scalability: consumers may experience 100- to 150-inch displays without a significant cost increase. Today's projectors include HDR, laser lighting sources, and smart capabilities among other sophisticated features. Still, consciousness is tough. Many still believe projectors demand dark rooms or intricate setups, often ignoring the part the screenplays play in image quality.
Unlike immersive TVs, projection screens are reflective, making them gentle on the eyes during long viewing sessions. As an industry, we need to close this information vacuum and guarantee that installation is as flawless and assisted as TVs in other Indian regions.
Jyoti: For most consumers, a projector screen seems secondary to the projector itself. How does Lumina approach the challenge of market education and explain the difference between a high-quality can make?
Yusuf: This is one of the most important conversations we have at Lumina. A projector is only half the story—the screen defines how that story is seen. A good screen significantly boosts brightness, contrast, and color accuracy, even with the same projector. Our education efforts are both B2B and B2C—we train dealers and installers to communicate screen benefits, and set up demo zones where customers can see the difference firsthand. We also invest in easy-to-understand content across digital platforms, using social media, and short videos to reach audiences beyond traditional AV showrooms.
Jyoti: Operating in a relatively under-penetrated segment, how has Lumina Screens earned credibility and trust, especially in a market dominated by imports? What strategies helped you overcome consumer hesitation?
Yusuf: Knowing India deserved a high-quality, locally produced projection screen brand that could compete in performance and price with international companies, we entered the market. Backed by Galalite’s legacy of 65 years in the screen industry, we built on Deep R&D, demanding quality control, and great customer service underpins this. Offering clearly, technically sound items with customized solutions, whether for a small Mumbai apartment, a big Hyderabad house, or a school in a Tier 2 city, was among our first successes. Real consumers' case studies and testimonials helped to lighten doubts among first-time purchasers.
Jyoti: Given the ambient light conditions in Indian homes, how important are ALR (Ambient Light Rejection) screens to ensuring a great viewing experience? How are you seeing adoption trends for ALR in India?
Yusuf: Indian households, where bigger windows and open-plan designs make ambient light sometimes impossible, have found ALR screens to be a revolution. Unlike Western markets where blackout conditions are simpler to handle, Indian viewers gain a lot from ALR screens that provide crisp, high-contrast visuals even in well-lit rooms without needing to pull curtains or switch off lights. Adoption has been continually rising, and customer and integrator reactions have been very positive.
Though ALR used to be considered a premium category, we are now witnessing great interest from mid-range customers who see its daily worth. We think ALR screens will become a conventional element in home projection systems all over India as knowledge increases.
Jyoti: Home theaters are no longer limited to urban luxury. What are the key drivers behind this surge in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and how is Lumina tapping into this evolving landscape?
Yusuf: Luxury today goes beyond metropolitan areas; Tier 2 and 3 city audiences are just as interested in high-quality entertainment experiences. Home remodeling has become rather more common since the epidemic, with many households creating media rooms or altering living areas for projection systems. Even during weddings and celebratory makeovers, projectors are under thought.
In smaller cities, Lumina has increased its reach, educated regional dealers and installers, and offered high-quality, reasonably priced screen solutions matched to local budgets in order to meet this expanding need. Knowing that requirements in areas like Nagpur or Surat could vary from Delhi, we also provide customizing options. The will of these customers to learn, invest, and distribute comments—which helps to drive long-term, natural growth—is what genuinely motivates.