Srinagar, Sept 20: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday informed that every district in Jammu and Kashmir UT will have a 100-seat cinema soon.
Speaking at the opening of INOX multiplex theatre here at Sonwar, the LG said, “Multipurpose cinema in the city will offer facilities ranging from movie screenings, infotainment and more to youth and others.
“Cinema is a powerful creative medium that reflects societal values and change. It brings people together. Apart from entertainment, the cinema gives hope, dreams, and inspiration to young people to pursue their dreams till they realise them,” said the LG.
He said the younger generation is driven by a great desire to learn about various cultures, and join a global community.
Sinha said that Kashmir is home to many moviegoers and the region has a rich cinematic history.
“There was a time when a lot of people would come to cinema halls to see movies with their friends and families.
He recalled the time when the film shooting of most of Indian films was carried out in Kashmir valley
“There was a time when shooting of almost all big films was done here. Cinemas were operating normally in the Valley until 1989. But then they were forced to close down,” he recalled.
The LG said that the opening of multipurpose cinema halls in Shopian and Pulwama and the first-ever multiplex cinema hall in Srinagar today signifies the revival of cinema culture in the Kashmir valley after 30 years.
LG Sinha congratulating the people, Vijay Dhar, and the INOX Group for the newly opened multiplex, said, “The new cinema halls and ongoing film shootings will renew the beautiful bond between Jammu and Kashmir and the Indian Film Industry.”
He further added that the administration has expedited the pace at many developmental initiatives implemented under the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
For the owner of the multiplex, Vikas Dhar, opening of the entertainment centre was like a dream come true.
Speaking to reporters, Dhar said, “Our dream has come true.
“What we had promised to the people of Kashmir has come true today,” said the owner of the multiplex.
He added that young people need to understand that cinema is a large medium that deserves to be seen on the silver screen.
Assuring of providing world class experience to the visitors of the multiplex, Dhar said, “We will use every technological device in the cinema that exists today, and this experience will be unmatched.”
Earlier, speaking to Rising Kashmir Dhar informed that the cinema will be thrown open to the general public on October Ist.
On the occasion, Junaid Azim Mattu, Mayor of SMC; Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lt Governor; Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat, Vice Chairperson, J&K KVIB; Vijay Kumar, ADGP Kashmir; Pandurang K. Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Mohammad Aijaz, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar; senior officials of civil administration, police, and army, besides prominent citizens, were present on the occasion.
