Srinagar, Sept 18 (Representative) Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday inaugurated Multipurpose Cinema Halls at Pulwama and Shopian districts. “Today is a historic day for J&K UT. Multipurpose Cinema Halls at Pulwama and Shopian will offer facilities ranging from movie screening, infotainment and skilling of youth”, said the Lt Governor. After more than three decades, the people of Kashmir will be able to watch movies on the big screen with reopening of these cinema halls. A first of its kind multiplex is also likely to be thrown open to the public in Srinagar during this month. The Dhar family and INOX, one of the major film distributors and theatre chains, worked together to create the multiplex at high security Sonawar area in city centre Srinagar, likely to be thrown open to the public in September. Students, Youth and people from all walks of life gathered at the new Multipurpose Cinema Halls at Drussu Pulwama and MC Shopian to witness the event. Establishment of Cinemas at District Headquarters has been undertaken by the Government’s Mission Youth Department in collaboration with the district administration.
Cinema Halls in Anantnag, Srinagar, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Doda, Rajouri, Poonch, Kishtwar and Reasi will be inaugurated soon. The Lt Governor dedicated the multipurpose cinema halls of Pulwama and Shopian to the people, especially the younger generation of Kashmir who have waited for a long time for this moment. The Lt Governor shared the government’s vision to establish similar Multipurpose Cinema Halls in every district of the UT under Mission Youth. Cinema is a powerful creative medium which reflects culture, values and aspirations of the people. It opens the door to the world of knowledge, new discoveries, enables people to get a better understanding of each-other’s culture, observed the Lt Governor. J&K has a long association with the world of cinema. The new film policy and facilities created has once again made J&K the favourite shooting destination and brought back the golden era of film-making in the Union Territory, the Lt Governor said.
With the support of Mission Youth, District Administration, Jadooz Group and the society, I am confident the timeless creativity offered by Cinema will be appreciated across generations, added the Lt Governor. Cinema has played a huge role in social change in our country; giving us role models, inspiring us to work for the society and for the nation, the Lt Governor further added. Reiterating the Government’s commitment to make the youth empowered, the Lt Governor said, the government is ensuring that the talented youth of J&K get the right platform and modern facilities for education and skill development. The new cinema halls will generate employment for locals and also provide a vibrant space for training of youth and seminars. Cinema houses got shut in 1990 after the separatist after armed insurgency erupted.Several cinema houses in Kashmir valley have been turned into security camps while one has been serving as a premier medical centre and others are still locked. The erstwhile Palladium Cinema in city centre Lal Chowk which was burnt during a gunfight is also occupied by the security forces at present.