Cinema culture in the garrison city of Rawalpindi has revived after Ramadan and large numbers of people, particularly youngsters, thronged to cinemas during the first three days of Eid.
Cinepax, the most popular cinema of Rawalpindi, was jam packed during Eid days, with youngsters and families, alike. Talking to Pakistan Today Mohammad Moin, a resident of Sadiqabad, said he along with his friends went to see movies at Cinepax every year. “It is only in the days of Eid when my parents allow me to go out,” he said.
Owners and employees of cinema houses reaped maximum profits by increasing ticket prices during these days. However, they were of the view that since they had borne immense financial losses the entire past month, they were now justified in overcoming their losses by increasing ticket rates. “We have earned nothing during the last month as every one considered it a sin to visit cinema houses during Ramadan,” said Raheel Sheikh, an employee at a cinema house. All Pakistan Cinema Owners Association Vice Chairman Nasir Ismail said their business faced a sharp decline during the month of Ramadan.
“People here are religious-minded, so they avoid visiting such places during the holy month,” he said. Nasir said hundreds of families earned their livelihood from cinemas, due to which they could not close them down even during Ramadan. He pointed out that many females also wanted to visit cinema houses but societal norms did not allow them to do so.
He added that youngsters harassed females during Eid. “We have been thinking of starting a special program for families, in which no single male member will be allowed,” the cinema representative said, adding that people of twin cities were technologically aware and demanded high-quality entertainment. “Our routine life has become too busy and taking out time to watch movies on the big screen has become a luxury,” said Irfan Kashif, a resident of sector G/8, who came to Rawalpindi to watch a movie. “I want to enjoy Eid by watching Indian movies,” he said.
However, many visitors complained that cinema owners had not made proper arrangements to facilitate visitors.
They said gangs of youngsters disrupted the cinema experience by hooting and throwing wrappers on the viewers, which created many problems for visitors who went to the cinema with their families.
