News Brief
Sole Theatre In Srinagar Sold Out On Oppenheimer Premier, Bringing Cinema Back To Life In The Valley
Srinagar's INOX - the only multiplex in Kashmir. (Pic: Reuters)
Hollywood blockbuster Oppenheimer has received an incredible response in Kashmir, with the lone multiplex in the capital city of Srinagar reporting record sales on the day of its release.
According to reports, the demand for Oppenheimer has been so high that Srinagar's only multiplex is completely sold out for the next three days, making it the biggest release in Kashmir since Shah Rukh Khan's Pathaan.
This is a historic moment as it marks the first time a Hollywood epic thriller has achieved a full house in Kashmir's only multiplex, which had remained closed for 33 years.
Even before the film was released, tickets for Oppenheimer at Srinagar's INOX - the only multiplex in Kashmir - were quickly sold out.
Vikas Dhar, the owner of INOX, expressed his surprise at the overwhelming response from people. The tickets have been sold out for several days, surpassing their expectations, he said, adding that they never anticipated such a strong response for a Hollywood film.
INOX in Srinagar opened in September last year, putting an end to the entertainment drought in the Valley that had been enforced since the rise in terrorism in 1989.
According to Dhar, the release of Shah Rukh Khan's Pathaan was a turning point that attracted people to cinema in Kashmir. Now, with Oppenheimer, the theater is consistently full, he says.
Kashmir's cinema legacy dates back to the early days of Bollywood in India. In 1932, two years before the establishment of the Bombay Talkies movie studio in Mumbai, the first cinema in Kashmir, called "Kashmir Talkie," opened its doors in Srinagar.
Over time, it was renamed Pladium cinema.
After that, Regal cinema and several other movie theaters emerged in Kashmir, contributing to its cinematic landscape. These theaters not only showcased local films but also screened Hollywood movies for the audience's enjoyment.
Unfortunately, the rise of Islamic terrorism fueled by extremism led to the closure of all cinemas in 1989. Despite several attempts to reopen them, fear and a lack of moviegoers in the Valley hindered their success.
However, the success of the hollywood movie in attracting crowds is a positive development for the future of cinema and entertainment in the valley.
"Oppenheimer" is a film that delves into the life of Robert Oppenheimer, an American physicist often referred to as the "father of the atomic bomb." Oppenheimer played a pivotal role in developing the first atomic bombs, which were subsequently dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.
The lead role in the film is portrayed by Cillian Murphy, known for his stellar performance in the series "Peaky Blinders."
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