New Delhi: The lone multiplex in Kashmir Valley, which just recently opened, was packed for Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone-starrer spy flick ‘Pathaan’s premiere. This is the first time that such a response has been witnessed for a movie playing in the cinema in the valley.
Altaf Ahmad, the manager of the sole multiplex, noted that all three halls are completely full for the whole day, marking the first time since the cinema’s inauguration in October of last year that Kashmir had experienced such a response to a film screening.
While ‘Pathaan’ has generated controversy in some parts of the nation, Srinagar has not felt the impact. One of the locals who attended the screening proclaimed to be a fan of Shah Rukh Khan and had come to see the film starring his favourite superstar.
Although there is a long-standing connection between Kashmir and Bollywood, and Shah Rukh Khan has a huge fan base in the valley, this is the first time that residents of Srinagar and other parts of the Valley have had the opportunity to see their favourite celebrity on a large screen. This is another reason why all screenings of the film have been completely sold out.
The atmosphere in Inox theatres today has a decades old feel to it, as there used to be such a rush to see a megastar movie thirty years ago in Kashmir when cinemas were still in existence.
With 4.19 lakh tickets booked as of Tuesday and 80% occupancy on Day One, even for early morning screenings starting at 6 or 7 AM, the Siddharth Anand-directed film is expected to have the largest opening for any Hindi film, according to industry insiders.
Besides Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham play prominent roles in the spy thriller. ‘Pathaan’ release in theaters on January 25.