Baramulla, July 28: In a momentous occasion that sparked nostalgia and hope for the future, Baramulla witnessed the revival of its cinema culture after a hiatus of over three decades.
The long-awaited return of cinematic entertainment came to fruition with the inauguration of a 100-seater multipurpose cinema hall at Maqbool Sherwani Hall, marking a remarkable development following the abrogation of Article 370.
The cinema’s reopening was met with great excitement and anticipation by the local residents who had long been deprived of this form of recreation. The first screening featured the highly anticipated film ‘Pathan,’ adding grandeur to the momentous occasion. Later, ‘Welcome To Kashmir’ was also screened, with cinema-goers loving every bit of it.
Residents of Baramulla expressed their elation at the return of cinematic entertainment to their town. Abdul Hameed, a local resident, said that the reintroduction of the cinema would reignite the joy associated with the big-screen experience.
Baramulla’s cinema history, once dotted with theaters like Regina Cinema, Kapra, Samad Talkies, and Thimaya Hall, came alive in the reminiscences of the older generation. Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, a movie buff from the bygone era, fondly recalled the craze and excitement of those times when maintaining a diary with movie details was a trend among the youth.
“Frankly speaking, I want to witness the screening of classics like ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikander’ in the cinema once again. And during the interval, I want to enjoy barbeque and tea to travel to the past,” he added.
He said that in the late 80s, a horse cart and a drummer would announce the screening of new movies, and people would enthusiastically come out of their houses to have a look at it.
Earlier this month, the inaugural ceremony of the cinema at Baramulla was graced by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who reiterated his commitment to providing a cinematic experience to all districts in Jammu and Kashmir. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha emphasized that the new cinema hall symbolizes the region’s growing aspirations and would also serve as valuable educational and recreational resources for the youth, encouraging excellence in various fields.
The reopening of cinema in Baramulla also holds the promise of providing much-needed recreational opportunities and fostering economic growth.
With the cinema now operational in Baramulla, the atmosphere of the late 80s has seemingly returned. Abrar Baba, another movie enthusiast, shared his memories of enjoying omelets and tea at the Sheesh Mahal restaurant during movie breaks at Regina Cinema Baramulla.
He expressed joy at the prospect of reliving those moments with friends and family. “It was a craze to watch a movie during that time. It was the late 80s, and life was filled with fun. We are hopeful those days will return to this town,” he added.
The reopening of cinema also brought a sense of hope for tomorrow. Danish Iqbal, a college student, welcomed the move, acknowledging that it would provide the youth with much-needed recreational opportunities that were previously lacking in the district.
The manager of the Theatre, Shahid Raina, spoke about the enthusiastic response from the locals, with families and young people flocking to the screenings. However, the demand for new movies was already echoing in the air, indicating the people’s eagerness for more diverse cinematic experiences.
As this northern district of Kashmir immerses itself in the silver screen experience once again, there is a shared sense of nostalgia, fondly remembering the past, and hope, eagerly looking forward to a brighter and more entertaining future.
