Though authorities attempted to reopen some of the theatres in the late 1990s, militants foiled such efforts in September 1999 by carrying out a deadly grenade attack on Regal Cinema in the heart of Lal Chowk. Here we will discuss how Jammu and Kashmir will get cinema halls nearly after three decades.
Kashmir and Jammu Sunday saw the opening of a multipurpose cinema hall in both of the twin south Kashmir districts of Pulwama and Shopian by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, over three decades after theatre owners in the Valley had mostly closed their doors due to terrorism.
Sinha referred to the event as “historic.” “Pulwama and Shopian Multipurpose Cinema Halls Debut on a Historic Day for J&K UT. It provides amenities like a movie theatre, infotainment, and young skill development “Tweeted he.
“Soon, we will construct such multipurpose movie theatres in each district of Jammu and Kashmir. I dedicate these movie theatres to the youth of Pulwama and Shopian today “He told Pulwama reporters. Up until the late 1980s, the Valley was home to almost a dozen independent movie theatres, but they were forced to close their doors after receiving threats from two violent groups.
Authorities tried to reopen several of the theatres in the late 1990s, but terrorists foiled those efforts by attacking the Regal Cinema in Lal Chowk with a devastating grenade in September 1999. Two further theatres, Neelam and Broadway, had already begun operations but had to close down due to a lack of patronage.
The LG responded, “There is no message,” when asked if the government intended to convey anything by constructing such movie theatres. An official spokesperson reported that students, young people, and people from all walks of life flocked to the brand-new movie theatres at Drussu in Pulwama and Municipal Council in Shopian.
These movie theatres were built by the government’s Mission Youth Department in coordination with the corresponding district administrations. The spokesperson announced that movie theatres would soon be opened in Anantnag, Srinagar, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Doda, Rajouri, Poonch, Kishtwar, and Reasi.
He continued, “The LG dedicated the movie theatres to the people, especially the young people, who have waited for this moment for a very long time. In the Somwar neighbourhood of Srinagar, the first multiplex in Kashmir will open to the public the following week. It will have three theatres with a combined seating capacity of 520 people.
The culture, morals, and aspirations of the populace are reflected in cinema, which is a potent creative medium. It enables people to better comprehend one another’s cultures and opens the door to the world of information, according to Sinha. The world of movies and Jammu and Kashmir have a long-standing relationship.
He said, “The new film policies and facilities provided have made the Union territory the preferred shooting site once again and have revived the golden age of filmmaking here.”
The LG claims that the new movie theatres would create jobs for locals and offer a lively setting for teaching young people and holding seminars.
