Kashmir’s First Multiplex To Successfully Open As A Theatre After 23 Years

Kashmir lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the first multiplex of the valley in Srinagar.

Kashmir’s first cinema hall:

In 1932, the first cinema hall in Kashmir was opened at Lal Chowk in Srinagar. Until 1989, dozens of cinema halls were functioning in Kashmir. Srinagar’s movie screenings used to go on till midnight, screening most Hollywood movies.

However, due to the spread of terrorism in the 1990s, all cinema halls were forced to close. The government in the late 1990s made an attempt to reopen some cinema halls, but the attempt went in vain after a deadly grenade attack on Regal cinema led to the killing of one person on the day the theatre was reopened. From then all theatres were closed.

Cinema Halls in Srinagar after three decades:

After three decades, Srinagar’s cinema halls will reopen to the public. “The first ever multiplex theatre in the Shivpora area of uptown Srinagar with a seating capacity of 520 seats is being thrown open to the public,” said the multiplex’s owner, Vijay Dhar.

“Four shows would be screened in each multiplex theatre every day at 10 a.m.,” he added.

Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan starrer Vikram Vedha became the first movie to be screened at a cinema hall, and also Mani Ratnam’s historical epic Ponniyin Selvan was screened simultaneously.

Dhar said, “We wanted to give our people entertainment and it took five years to complete the Multiplex, INOX. The auditorium has a food court with a seating capacity of 520. It will be a different experience from what it has been for 30 years. The cinema halls in Pulwama and Shopian districts can also be used for skill enhancement, training, and social awareness. “

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced that “he had plans to establish 100-seater cinema halls in every district.” The ongoing film shoots and the cinema halls will strengthen the bond between Indian film industry and Jammu & Kashmir, “he added.