3- decade wait over, Kashmir's first multiplex opens

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday inaugurated the first multiplex in Srinagar city, ending an over three-decade wait of cinegoers to watch a movie on the big screen in Kashmir.

The 500-seat capacity multiplex, a collaborative project of the Dhar family and INOX, one of the top film distributors and film exhibitors in the country is situated at high security zone Shivpora area of the city.

Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor starrer “Laal Singh Chaddhaa” got a special inauguration screening for the guests and viewers.

The Lieutenant Governor said 100-seat capacity cinema halls would be opened in every district of Jammu and Kashmir soon.

He said a film city would also be established and for that the land has been selected. He said in a few months it would be made known to the public.

He also said a lot of movies were shot in Kashmir recently and more shootings are scheduled.

He said Srinagar was a hub of entertainment once as the district had almost eight big cinema houses functioning -- Palladium, Regal, Sheeraz, Neelam, Khayam, Broadway, Naaz and Firdous.

“Today, we are trying to bring back the lost era of cinema again. The opening of the INOX reflects the changing picture of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.