PESHAWAR: Naz cinema, built in 1942, has formally launched screening movies on its 3D digital facility installed recently and attracted educated cine-buffs and families to enjoy flicks on big screen with renewed excitement.

The cine-goers were of the view that with new technology, cinema culture would attract visitors from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

They said that it would prove a landmark for the families and educated youth, who would turn up in droves to enjoy big screen without any fear and in a neat and clean environment.

The cinema business in KP has been on the decline as most cine-theatres were dismantled. The 3D cinema will screen three shows on daily basis from 2pm to 12pm with one ticket at Rs400 and Rs200 extra will be charged for pair of spectacles from the cine-goers.

Dr Sajida Yousafzai and Mahmood Khan, a couple, told this scribe that they drove to Peshawar for watching movie on the big screen with digital facility. They said that they would earlier go to Islamabad to enjoy the new flicks on alternative weekend but now they would make it on every weekend to Peshawar.

“The experience was full of excitement as there were no drug users, no bad smell and no ear-splitting sound. We enjoyed the movie in a friendly atmosphere along with other tasteful participants,” said Dr Sajida.

“Smoking and using snuff have been strictly banned with tight security arrangements, cafeteria and extra space on gallery for families. The mobile app for advance ticking has also been launched. Only 2D films will be screened with quality stuff suitable for family entertainment. We are moving towards the revival of cinema culture with digital facility,” the cinema staff told this scribe.

Javed Rana, the owner of the cinema, said that he decided to introduce modern technology to provide best entertainment and also to revive cinema culture. He said that it took him four months to get his decades-old theatre renovated and converted it into 3D digital facility.

“There was no quality entertainment for Peshawrites and militancy further damaged the cinema business. Most families and educated lot would rush to Rawalpindi and Islamabad to watch movies but now they won’t need to walk up from Peshawar and would show up for watching flicks of their choice in their own city,” said Mr Rana.

Mohammad Naeem, the manager, said that Naz cinema earlier had a capacity of 600 seats but reduced the number to 414 seats to make it more spacious and comfortable for the cine-goers. Till now the cinema was screening old English and Urdu runs but next week, the ‘Superstar’ featuring Mahira Khan, Bilal Ashraf, Ali Sethi, Zeb Bangash, Azaan Sami Khan and Saad mostly shot in Peshawar Mohalla Sehtian would screened.

“We have yet to have a full house but the response from the locals is quite encouraging as more and more families get to know about the new step. The movie-buffs are contacting us for new runs and we are making it sure to come up to the expectations of visitors,” said Mr Naeem.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2020