Moviegoers in Kashmir have something to smile about following the critically acclaimed Vishal Bhardwaj film, Haider, which chose to be the state’s first theatrical release following the phenomenal sets of Rockstar, Laila Majnu and Bajrangi Bhaijaan in the state.
Haider Set for Historic Release in Kashmir
“Haider”, worldwide release, Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, Shraddha Kapoor, and Kay Kay Menon. This is Shakespeare’s magnum opus adaptation, but this time, the movie is set in Kashmir in the midst of political turmoil. Though it gained international acclaim, it never went on to hit the silver screen in the valley. All this is going to change as the film will be released on the screens of Inox Srinagar on September 20, 2024.
Audience Choice: Haider Tops the Poll for Srinagar Screening
Because the decision to screen “Haider” was a right preserved with the local community, owner of Inox Srinagar Vikas Dhar had taken a poll on his social media page on 8 September 2024 wherein he had put up four options to the audience in which they could vote for one film to be screened. The options for the audience were “Kabir Singh”, “Haider”, “Student Of The Year”, and “Jab Tak Hai Jaan”. An overwhelming majority voted for “Haider”, which is a reflection of the local audience’s desire to watch films made on Kashmir or even love stories in the city.
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Talking to Bollywood Hungama, Vikas Dhar shared his views about the local audience’s preferences. “We have been getting requests from moviegoers for a year that they want to see “Rockstar” (2011) and “Laila Majnu”. We released “Rockstar”. It so happened that Imtiaz Ali was in Srinagar for a tourism conclave. I thanked him for re-releasing *Rockstar* and informed him that he has a fan base here! He asked me what I felt about releasing “Laila Majnu” in Kashmir. I told him about the demand for it and asked him if he could get the film in our cinemas. He set the ball into motion.”
Other alike elements that have contributed to this boom are the current hits Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor’s “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” success in Kashmir. A special screening of the movie on September 6, 2024 went through an excellent feedback from the people of Kashmir. And hence there was ease in the selection of other movies for release in that region.
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“Haider” is the advent of a new era for Kashmiri cinema. Vikas Dhar was optimistic, saying: “Everyone here loves “Bajrangi Bhaijaan”. When “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” (2013) was screened, it received a positive response. Though the film’s first half is set in Himachal Pradesh, many scenes were filmed in Kashmir, which had an added attraction for locals.
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Dhar refers to a few other movies that are always in demand are: “Jab We Met” in 2007; 3 Idiots in 2009; and “Student Of The Year” in 2012. However, none can match up to the viewers’ demand for “Rockstar” and “Laila Majnu”. He added further interested in knowing if it persists, then they will react appropriately. Dhar also enthusiastically suggested a vote on social media where people can vote for the next film they would like to see.
Vikas Dhar Lets Fans Vote for Next Screening After 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan
Vikas Dhar, to everyone’s request, finally released “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” on 6 September. Two days later, on 8 September, he held a vote on Inox Srinagar’s social media page. He requested the patrons to vote for one of four films to be screened the following day: “Kabir Singh”, “Haider”, “Student Of The Year”, and “Jab Tak Hai Jaan”. The majority voted for “Haider”.
Special Release of “Haider”
“Haider”, which stars Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, Shraddha Kapoor, and Kay Kay Menon, will be screened with special shows in Kashmir on September 20. The film, by Vishal Bhardwaj, will run daily at 2:30 pm, with tickets costing a moderate Rs. 99.
Re-release Sparks Renewed Interest in Laila Majnu and Rockstar
Meanwhile, on 2 August “Laila Majnu” (2018) was released at Inox Srinagar, Kashmir’s only multiplex, and the responses are usually never seen before. It also resulted in a national demand for viewing the movie on the silver screen and subsequently led to a re-release on 9 August. Vikas Dhar remembers requests were frequent for “Rockstar” (2011) and “Laila Majnu” over the last year.
As the movie flopped, Imtiaz Ali, who was attending a tourism conference in Srinagar at the time, was informed that “Laila Majnu” was in high demand locally. So impressed was Ali by the demand that he agreed to it and ensured the film could be re-released. Vikas said there is now growing demand for other films that seem to be missing from Kashmir’s cinema. He said, “Now I am being asked to bring many other films that people here haven’t seen since cinema halls were shut between the 1990s and 2022.”
The Story of Haider
About “Haider”, the film is a road map to the story of Haider Meer played by Shahid Kapoor, who finds his way back to the troubled land of his father’s disappearance and abduction. On reaching the fatherland, he discovers his mother, played by Tabu, married to his uncle who is an influential separatist leader. As the overall political disarray aligns with personal disillusionment for him, Haider sets out on a journey to avenge himself and know himself.
There’s a scheduled release of a film, “Haider”, in the northern Indian state of Kashmir. Even the community-driven decision-making mechanisms are powerful in themselves, and films that carry that local touch interest the audience immensely. So, the story reflects the importance of Inox Srinagar in being Kashmir’s only multiplex and the revived love for cinema in the region it is spreading.
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