The first Pakistani film ‘Khuda Kay Liye’(In the name of God)screened in India after a period of forty years, failed to revive the flagging fortunes of Srinagar’s sole cinema, with people in the restive Kashmir city staying away out of fear.
The movie ‘Khuda Kay Liye’ about the struggle of moderate muslims to preserve their beliefs following the September, 11, 2001 attacks, opened across India in April, 2008 but arrived in Kashmir only this week end.
Just 15 people attended the first show on Friday in the lone 400 seat theatre, where cinemas have been a popular target for militant attacks.
Mr.Noor Mohamed, the manager of the Neelam cinema said that he hoped that the show would draw crowds but that has not happened, though the cinema is run under tight security.
People here are interested in news, music and films from across the border, with thousands turning out last month for a concert by the leading Pakistani rock band Junoon.
But people are not willing to take the risk of going to the cinema.
Mr.Mohammed said that violence is still playing in the minds of the people and that is why the people are staying away from the theatre though it happened to be a Pakistani movie.
Srinagar had eight cinema halls but after the 1989 insurgency organized by the separatists a ban was also imposed on the theatres from running the movies. Howver, Neelam is the only movie theatre running under tight security.
However, the film screening in India points to a further thaw in relations between India and Pakistan.The Pakistan movies were banned after the 1965 war and it was lifted in the year 2004..Pakistan also screened its first Indian movie only in the year 2006.
But as far as Kashmir is concerned no progress has been made in the movie screening.