Movie Theaters Return to Kashmir after More Than 30 Years
2022-11-12
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1Movies have returned to Indian-Administered Kashmir for the first time in almost 33 years.
2Theaters were closed January 1, 1990, because of concerns over militant threats against theaters, beauty parlors, and liquor stores.
3But a new multiplex cinema, INOX Srinagar, opened on September 30.
4India and Pakistan dispute who should rule Kashmir.
5The territory is divided almost in half between the two countries, with military forces on each side.
6However, the threat of violence remains high for the people who visit the multiplex.
7Patrons must pass through tight security.
8Armed police guard the area.
9Patrons are frisked at the main gate before entering the theater.
10An armored truck with at least a dozen policemen is stationed near the entry gate, and a security tower stands next to the ticket counter.
11The Kashmir Valley had about 15 movie theaters until 1989, when militants, opposed to Indian rule, demanded their closure.
12INOX Srinagar is owned by Vikas Dhar's family.
13The family has owned movie theaters in Srinagar since the 1960s.
14Dhar told VOA that, for him, the opening of his multiplex is a dream come true.
15More than 5,000 patrons visited the 524-seat complex in its first month of operation.
16Dhar thinks more people will visit in the future.
17He said, "It is not a big figure, but it will increase with the passage of time when people will come out of their houses without being afraid of anyone."
18He added that the theater might develop restaurants and a play area for children next year.
19For the younger generation, going to the movie theater is a new experience.
20For older people, it is a reminder of times past.
21But many young people prefer to watch movies at home on large TV screens instead of risking their safety at a theater.
22Tayba Gulnar is a 27-year-old lawyer who likes to watch movies at home.
23"Cinema is a public place and is different from what it used to be 10-15 years ago."
24She added, "I would only watch an animated movie in cinema, if I ever go there."
25Cinema is another word for theater.
26But Dhar thinks that even younger Kashmiris will enjoy the experience of watching a film in a theater.
27He said that movies such as Avatar and Avengers with their special effects can only be fully enjoyed on a big screen.
28Manmohan Singh Gauri owned the Palladium Cinema in the Kashmir Valley before it closed.
29Now he hopes to open his own theater if he is granted permission by the government.
30He said the return of movies to the Kashmir Valley can give younger Kashmiris more information about what is happening around the world.
31I'm Andrew Smith.
1Movies have returned to Indian-Administered Kashmir for the first time in almost 33 years. 2Theaters were closed January 1, 1990, because of concerns over militant threats against theaters, beauty parlors, and liquor stores. But a new multiplex cinema, INOX Srinagar, opened on September 30. 3India and Pakistan dispute who should rule Kashmir. The territory is divided almost in half between the two countries, with military forces on each side. 4However, the threat of violence remains high for the people who visit the multiplex. Patrons must pass through tight security. Armed police guard the area. Patrons are frisked at the main gate before entering the theater. An armored truck with at least a dozen policemen is stationed near the entry gate, and a security tower stands next to the ticket counter. 5The Kashmir Valley had about 15 movie theaters until 1989, when militants, opposed to Indian rule, demanded their closure. 6INOX Srinagar is owned by Vikas Dhar's family. The family has owned movie theaters in Srinagar since the 1960s. Dhar told VOA that, for him, the opening of his multiplex is a dream come true. 7More than 5,000 patrons visited the 524-seat complex in its first month of operation. 8Dhar thinks more people will visit in the future. He said, "It is not a big figure, but it will increase with the passage of time when people will come out of their houses without being afraid of anyone." 9He added that the theater might develop restaurants and a play area for children next year. 10For the younger generation, going to the movie theater is a new experience. For older people, it is a reminder of times past. But many young people prefer to watch movies at home on large TV screens instead of risking their safety at a theater. 11Tayba Gulnar is a 27-year-old lawyer who likes to watch movies at home. "Cinema is a public place and is different from what it used to be 10-15 years ago." She added, "I would only watch an animated movie in cinema, if I ever go there." Cinema is another word for theater. 12But Dhar thinks that even younger Kashmiris will enjoy the experience of watching a film in a theater. He said that movies such as Avatar and Avengers with their special effects can only be fully enjoyed on a big screen. 13Manmohan Singh Gauri owned the Palladium Cinema in the Kashmir Valley before it closed. Now he hopes to open his own theater if he is granted permission by the government. He said the return of movies to the Kashmir Valley can give younger Kashmiris more information about what is happening around the world. 14I'm Andrew Smith. 15Andrew Smith adapted this VOANEWS story for VOA Learning English. 16__________________________________________________________________ 17Words in This Story 18beauty parlor -n. a term for a store where mainly women go to have their hair, skin or nails treated 19liquor -n. a strong, alcoholic drink 20multiplex -n. a building that contains several movie theaters 21patron -n. a person who buys goods or uses the services of a business, library, or similar places 22frisk -v. when a security person passes their hands over the body of someone searching for hidden weapons or illegal materials 23dozen -n. a word for the number 12 24tower -n. a tall structure 25animated -adj. produced through the process of animation, using individual drawing or images to create a moving image as in a movie 26________________________________________________________________ 27We want to hear from you. 28We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 29Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.