On Tuesday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated Kashmir's first multiplex in Srinagar . The opening ceremony was held with a special screening of Aamir Khan's film 'Lal Singh Chaddha'. However, the regular shows will start from 30 September.
Srinagar: On Tuesday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated Kashmir’s first multiplex in Srinagar . The opening ceremony was held with a special screening of Aamir Khan’s film ‘Lal Singh Chaddha’. However, the regular shows will start from 30 September. This multiplex is open in Sonawar area of Srinagar. With this initiative, people will no longer have to go out of Kashmir to watch Bollywood movies on the big screen.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, “A target has been set to build 100 seater cinema halls in every district of Jammu and Kashmir under Mission Youth. A new chapter has started in Srinagar after a long time. I want to say this with confidence that this is the picture of the changing Jammu and Kashmir.
Vikas Dhar, owner of the multiplex, said in a statement that it was a big dream for us, which has now come true. According to the report, designed by INOX, Kashmir’s first multiplex will offer three theatres with a combined seating capacity of 520 people. The premises will also have a food court aimed at promoting local cuisine. To highlight Kashmir’s art and design, a Kashmiri wood “Khatambandh” is also used in the lobbies, giving it a Kashmiri cultural look.
Cinema halls in the Valley are reopening after three decades. In 1989-90, theater owners closed cinema halls in the Valley due to threats and attacks by terrorists. Authorities tried to reopen some theaters in the late 1990s. But in September 1999, the efforts of the authorities were thwarted by the deadly grenade attack by terrorists on the Regal Cinema in the heart of Lal Chowk. One person also died in this attack.
On Sunday, the J&K LG also inaugurated multipurpose cinema halls in Pulwama and Shopian that offer facilities for movie screening, infotainment and skilling of youth. Speaking on the launch of the Srinagar multiplex today, LG Sinha said: “With the advent of new film policies in the state, more films are being shot here now. We will also be establishing a film city in the coming months, allotment of land for the film city is done already.”
