Ist Multiplex cinema in Srinagar inaugurated
Vijay Dhar recalls golden era of film-shooting in Kashmir
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Sept 20: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today inaugurated Kashmir’s first Multiplex cinema in Srinagar saying that each district in Jammu and Kashmir will have 100-seater Cinema halls soon.
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Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the first multiplex cinema at Shivpora area of city, the LG said that cinema lovers are everywhere in Kashmir and cinemas have a great history in the Valley.
“There used to be a time when people in large numbers would come to watch movies along with friends and families. Cinemas would provide them opportunities to think big and dream big besides entertaining them,” the LG said.
He said Kashmiri people remained entertainment starved for the past three decades and today, the first multiplex will provide the people of Valley a chance to relax and entertain themselves.
“In Pulwama and Shopian districts, two multi-purpose cinema halls are coming up shortly. We are planning to set up 100-seater Cinema halls in every district of J&K,” the LG said.
He said Srinagar was a hub of entertainment once as the district had almost eight big Cinemas functional- Palladium, Regal, Sheeraz, Neelam, Khayam, Broadway, Naaz and Firdous. “Today, we are trying to bring back the lost era again. Today, the opening of the Cinema reflects the changing picture of J&K,” he added.
He said in 1965, a Bollywood blockbuster of yesteryears, ‘Janwar’, starring famous Bollywood actor Shami Kapoor was screened at Broadway cinema. “Such was the love of Kapoor for Kashmir that he had asked his family members to perform his last rites in Dal lake,” the LG said.
The LG said that August, 5, 2019 was a historic day when a massive decision was taken by the Indian Parliament. “The Government at Delhi is not trying to buy peace in J&K, but to establish it permanently,” he said.
About the new film policy, the J&K LG said that a lot of movies were shot in Kashmir recently and more are in the pipeline. “Film city will also be set up soon as we are at it,” he said. “We will give a lot of incentives to young filmmakers under the new film policy so that local employment is generated.”
The LG said that those who ruled J&K for years, used to fly outside J&K and even foreign countries for their own entertainment while all means of entertainment remained choked here.
Congratulating the people, Vijay Dhar and INOX Group on the occasion, Sinha said that a major Socio-economic revolution is sweeping through J&K in the last 3 years and it is reflection of a new dawn of hope, dreams, confidence and aspirations of people.
The LG observed that the opening of multipurpose Cinema Halls in Shopian, Pulwama and the first-ever Multiplex Cinema Hall in Srinagar today marks the revival of cinema culture in the Kashmir valley after three decades.
“The new cinema halls and ongoing film shootings will renew the beautiful bond between Jammu Kashmir and the Indian Film Industry,” he added.
“We are in talks with various stakeholders and have identified the land for developing Film City in the UT and the facility will come-up in the UT soon,” he announced.
“Under the guidance of PM Narendra Modi we have accelerated the pace of implementation of numerous developmental initiatives. After August 2019, a new social order has been established in J&K which promotes inclusive development, social harmony and equitable access to resources for all citizens without any discrimination. J&K UT is today stronger and more self-confident than ever before,” the LG said.
Subhash Chandra, former Member Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Chairman Essel Group, congratulated the J&K Government and everyone associated with the newly inaugurated multiplex on the occasion. He also lauded the UT Administration for the transformation taking place in Kashmir, through opening of cinema halls, which has a great legacy of film-making and a massive film loving population.
Rajat Sharma, Editor-in-Chief and Chairman, India TV, said that the Cinema is the perfect medium to unite people. He appreciated the efforts of the Lt Governor and the UT administration for creating facilities to cater the needs of the Indian Film-Industry and reviving a new-era of cinema in Kashmir.
Siddharth Jain, Executive Director, INOX Group, while speaking on the occasion, said that the launch of the new multiplex theatre in Kashmir will make the region be a part of country’s creative economy and contribute to strengthening the soft power of the country.
“With ‘MYOUN INOX, MYOUN Cinema’, we are also looking to win the hearts of cinema lovers of Kashmir by offering them a world-class cinema-viewing experience, amalgamation of top-notch technology, great hospitality, best of cinema comforts, a blend of local designs, Dolby Atmos audio technology, latest 3D and projection technology and a professionally trained team. We are also looking forward to taking our artistic learning from Kashmir to the world,” he said.
Vijay Dhar, Chairman DPS and owner of Broadway theatre expressed gratitude to the LG and the INOX group for bringing back the joy of movie-viewing in cinema halls to Kashmir. He also threw light on the golden era of cinema and film-shooting in Jammu Kashmir.
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