'Khuda Kay Liye' finds few takers in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Highly-acclaimed Pakistani film 'Khuda Kay Liye' has found few takers in Kashmir with only 15 persons turning out for its first day first show here.
     
The first Pakistani film to be shown in Kashmir in 40 years, it has set box office records across the border and garnered accolades from around the world.
     
However, all of that has not helped its prospects in the Valley. "It is disappointing. The response continues to be poor even though we get good openings even for an average film," said Noor Mohammad, manager of Neelam Cinema, which is screening the film.
     
Neelam is the only cinema hall functioning in Kashmir valley since eruption of militancy in 1990. All owners had shut shop after militant groups enforced closure of cinema houses, liquor shops, bars and beauty parlours.
      
Srinagar's eight cinema halls were converted into makeshift security camps and detention centres.
 
Three of these - Shiraz, Firdous and Shah Cinema - are still in control of security forces while Paladium hall at Lal Chowk is in ruins after being gutted in a fire incident in 1992. The rest of the halls were converted into medicare centres or utilised for other purposes.
     
Neelam cinema reopened in 1999 as part of the authorities' attempt to revive normalcy in Kashmir. Regal and Broadway cinema houses were also reopened, but had to stop functioning again in the wake of grenade attacks following the first shows.