'My Name Is Khan' runs to packed houses in Karachi

Shah Rukh Khan starrer My Name Is Khan is turning out to be a hit big with the moviegoers in this Pakistani city with the film running to packed houses.

"Normally the 3 and 6 o'clock shows have reasonable attendance and the late night show is packed but this time we have been witnessing full house for all three shows which is remarkable," Nadeem Mandviwalla, owner of Nishat cinema, said.

The movie was released on February 12 in two main cinema theatres and also at the only multiplex which is screening it
on two halls with four daily shows to cope with the rush.

"The fact that the Shiv Sena made such a big issue of Shah Rukh Khan's statement about Pakistani cricketers has also added to the interest in the movie," Mandviwalla said.

It is also the first major Shah Rukh Khan movie to be released in Pakistan since the government allowed screening of Indian movies in cinema halls two years back.

"In the last two years this is the first proper Shah Rukh Khan starrer that has been released in Pakistan," another cinema manager said.

Long lines and rows of cars can be seen parked on the busy M Jinnah road outside the two big cinema halls that are screening My Name Is Khan, causing miseries for the traffic police who are finding it difficult to cope with the rush.

"Definitely My name is Khan has generated lot of interest in Pakistan and also contributed significantly to the cultural and arts scene, but overall I think the release of Indian movies is good for us as it means people have some entertainment to look forward too," art critic, Muneeba said.