September 20th, 2022, is going to be marked by cinema lovers of Srinagar who longed to watch a movie at a theatre. Today, J&K LG Manoj Sinha, has inaugurated first multiplex in Srinagars, Somwar Area after almost 3 decades. It is a 3-screen cinema with total sitting capacity of 520 people. According to reports, the multiplex will be screening the latest movie starring Amir Khan and Kareena Kapoor: Lal Singh Chaddha.
Up until the 80s, Kashmir was home to a dozen theatres. Due to fatwas from Islamists the cinemas were deemed to be Haram, and further forced towards an abrupt shutdown. Since then, there had been several attempts to revive the cinema, which resulted in a relapse from terrorist groups. Ultimately leading to death and injuries.
On 18th September, 2022, A couple multipurpose theatres were inaugurated in Pulwama and Shopian.
From what cinema culture was to what it had become, It is an attempt of Jammu and Kashmir Film Development Council (JKFDC), to revive the cinema culture in Kashmir and encourage film-makers. The objective behind inauguration was clear when LG Sinha said to a reporter “We will build such multipurpose cinema halls in every district of Jammu and Kashmir soon. Today, I dedicate such cinema halls to the youth of Pulwama and Shopian."
