The blue-chip NSE Nifty 50 index ended 0.01% higher at 17,855.1 and the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex rose 0.05% to 60,077.88. The BSE Sensex had hit a record high during the session.

The indexes flitted between positive and negative territories during the session, pushing the Nifty's volatility index up more than 6%. Still, shares hovered near all-time highs on continued boost from a fast-paced vaccination drive and optimism around the upcoming festive season.

Cinema chain operators PVR Ltd and INOX Leisure jumped about 6% and 8%, respectively, as the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka eased COVID-19-led curbs on movie theatres occupancies.

Auto stocks rose over 3% to drive gains on the index. They gained for a fourth straight session, with Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors jumping about 6% and 4%, respectively.

Technology stocks fell nearly 3% to snap four straight sessions of gains, with HCL Technologies dropping over 4% to be the biggest loser on the Nifty 50 index.

Energy shares were up more than 1%, with state-owned gas explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corp advancing over 2.5%. The sector benefited from a rise in oil prices. [O/R]

Data showed on Friday India's crude oil imports rose to a three-month peak in August, in anticipation of higher demand during the festive season.

Real estate stocks jumped about 3%, marking a fifth straight day of gain. Prestige Estates Projects advanced 8.5%.

(Reporting by Soumyajit Saha in Bengaluru; editing by Uttaresh.V)