Kashmir Gets Its First Multiplex After 3 Decades, LG Manoj Sinha Inaugurates Cinema Hall

Designed by INOX, Kashmir's first multiplex will offer three theatres with a combined seating capacity of 520 people.

First INOX in J&K

Source : Getty

The lieutenant governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha inaugurated Kashmir’s first multiplex on Tuesday in Srinagar. It is after more than 3 decades that the people of the region will be able to watch movies on big screen. Designed by INOX, Kashmir's first multiplex will offer three theatres with a combined seating capacity of 520 people, reported news agency ANI

The opening of the multiplex, which will be operated by INOX, comes close on the heels of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurating multipurpose cinema halls one in each of the twin districts of Pulwama and Shopian.

A special screening of Laal Singh Chaddha, starring Aamir Khan, will commemorate the inauguration. However, regular shows will start from September 30.

Vikas Dhar, owner of INOX multiplex while talking to the Hindustan Times on Monday said "For us, this is a big dream which has come true. Tomorrow, LG Manoj Sinha will inaugurate the multiplex and regular shows will start from September 30." He further added "Tomorrow, we will screen Lal Singh Chaddha for our guests.

A dozen or so independent movie theatres operated in Kashmir Valley until the late 1980s, but many were forced to close in the early 1990s due to the rise of terrorism.

Authorities tried to restore certain theatres in the late 1990s, but such efforts were unsuccessful after terrorists attacked the Regal Cinema in Lal Chowk with a lethal grenade in September 1999, killing one person on the day the theatre reopened. Neelam and Broadway, two other theatres that had previously opened in high-security areas of Srinagar, were again shutt. Many movie theatres have been transformed into commercial malls and nursing homes, and others have even been taken over by paramilitary groups.

Strong security measures have been put under place at the multiplex. "Our special emphasis is on the security of the multiplex. Besides the security provided by the government, we have also deployed private security personnel for the safety of people,” Dhar said, as reported by HT.