Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha of Jammu and Kashmir officially inaugurated multipurpose cinema halls in the twin districts of Pulwama and Shopian in south Kashmir on Sunday. Sinha expressed his commitment to establishing similar cinema halls in every district of Jammu and Kashmir in the near future, emphasizing the dedication of these facilities to the youth of Pulwama and Shopian. Describing the occasion as “historic,” Sinha highlighted the multipurpose nature of these cinema halls, providing amenities for movie screenings, infotainment, and skill development for the youth.

Additionally, Sinha announced the imminent opening of Kashmir’s first INOX multiplex in Srinagar’s Somwar area, featuring three movie theaters with a combined seating capacity of 520. Responding to queries about the government’s message, Sinha clarified that the initiative was spearheaded by the Mission Youth under Secretary Shahid Iqbal Choudhary.

The Valley had witnessed several standalone cinema halls operating until the late 1980s, but due to threats from militant outfits, many had to shut down. Despite attempts to reopen some theaters in the late 1990s, militant attacks, such as a deadly grenade incident at Regal Cinema in September 1999, thwarted these efforts. Although two other theaters—Neelam and Broadway—initially reopened, they eventually closed due to a lack of public response.