A boy plays in front of a poster of the Bollywood movie 'Pathaan' outside a cinema hall in Prayagraj on 25 January, 2023. Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan returned to the silver screen on January 25 for the first time in four years with an action-packed rollercoaster film that has sparked ire from Hindu right-wingers.
A boy plays in front of a poster of the Bollywood movie 'Pathaan' outside a cinema hall in Prayagraj on 25 January, 2023. Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan returned to the silver screen on January 25 for the first time in four years with an action-packed rollercoaster film that has sparked ire from Hindu right-wingers.
Movies

Cinema lovers throng movie halls in Kashmir

ANISrinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Amidst the 'Pathaan' frenzy all across India, the latest Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone starrer Bollywood film has packed up movie theatres in Srinagar to the brim.

After almost 32 years' Kashmiri cinema lovers are coming in large numbers to watch this movie at INOX multiplex in Srinagar.

INOX Srinagar was inaugurated last year with a special screening of Aamir Khan Starrer 'Laal Singh Chaddha'. The multiplex was inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on September 20 last year.

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan in a scene from his new film 'Pathaan'.

A local cinema lover while talking to ANI said, "They are happy that after almost 32 years they have been watching movies like 'Pathaan' in this multiplex and hope cinema culture will gradually increase across Kashmir valley.

"We didn't expect such a response. Cinema culture is growing fast here, which is a good thing. All the shows are going housefull. We hope the shows will continue to be housefull next week as well," said Vikas Dhar, owner of INOX Multiplex, Srinagar.

He continued, "I feel happy that our multiplex has been houseful for the last 4 days. Younger's are coming in large numbers to watch this super hit film in this multiplex." Dhar also said that many more multiplexes should be opened across Kashmir valley.

A scene from the film 'Pathaan'.

Earlier, Inox Leisure Ltd, shared a post on its Twitter handle on 26 January mentioning how the film has helped to churn money in Kashmir after a long break.

The post read "Today, with #Pathaan frenzy gripping the nation, we are grateful to KING KHAN for bringing the treasured #HOUSEFULL sign back to the Kashmir Valley after 32 long years! Thank you ShahRukhKhan @iamsrk @thejohnabraham @deepikapadukone @YRF @PathaanTheFilm #YRF50."

People of Kashmir used to throng theatres and enjoy cinema as much as the other parts of the country, before the militancy surge that crippled Kashmir in 1989, forcing cinema hall owners to bring down the shutters.

Shah Rukh Khan in the song 'Besharam Rang' from their upcoming film 'Pathaan'.

The cinemas were banned by a militant group called 'Allah Tigers' and the youth of the state were deprived of the main dose of entertainment nearly for three decades due to political turmoil.

Meanwhile, 'Pathaan' has received a massive response from viewers and SRK's fandom globally has warmly welcomed the actor to his movie after four years. The film also entered the Rs 1 billion (100 crore) club on its opening day.

With each passing day, 'Pathaan' is setting a new record as the audience across the nation showering their unconditional love for this spy-thriller.

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