Srinagar's INOX theatre created history on Saturday and Sunday, when it ran to a full house for popular Hollywood flicks "Oppenheimer" and "Barbie".
Having reopened 33 years after it was shutdown last year, the cinema hall was in the news again on Saturday and Sunday for particularly featuring the Christopher Nolan directed venture (Oppenheimer) that is gaining popularity beyond expectations right across the country.
People from all walks of life, especially youngsters, were seen coming and queuing up in large numbers outside the hall to watch the two films.
Brighter Kashmir caught up with some youngsters to find out their reactions.
One of them said, " I came here to watch the movie "Barbie". This is the first time I have come to a cinema hall in Srinagar to watch a movie. As you can see, I have come here full on dressed up (he was dressed formally in a suit with tie and waist coat, etc.). I am a resident of Hawal (in Srinagar District), and I feel that coming out for a simple activity like a movie in place like Srinagar, is something that matters for us as a people. My father has never seen a movie. So, for me to get to watch a movie in hall for the first time, has been a happy experience. The movie is good."
Another cine watcher said, " I had come here with the notion that "Barbie" would be a kids only movie, but to my surprise, it's a happening movie, about life and its challenges, a movie that is quite deep if you ask me."
Asked how he felt about cinema halls opening in Kashmir again after more than three decades, he said, " There are cinema halls everywhere in India, so it is a good thing that cinema is returning to Kashmir as well."
When asked about the film "Oppenheimer", he said, " I am told it is going to be an awesome film, so let us see."
Oppenheimer has emerged as the biggest Hollywood opener and could possibly emerge as the highest Hollywood grosser in the union territory, beating other recent Hollywood films released this year like Fast X, John Wick: Chapter 4, Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse, etc.
Starring Cillian Murphy, Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr. and Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer hit screens across India on Friday (July 21). The film is off to a thunderous start in almost every hall in which it is being shown.On its opening day, it earned a massive Rs. 14.5 crore. So far, "Oppenheimer" has earned $15.7 million across 57 markets.Trends and film trade predictions suggest that it will do very well at the box office.
"Barbie" on the other hand has had a reasonable first day box office collection in India. Globally, however, the Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling starrer has done better than "Oppenheimer", collecting $41.4 million in 51 international markets.
social media posts suggest that "Oppenheimer" will be the first Hollywood film to be sold out in INOX Srinagar. Looking at early responses to the movie, film sources feel that it won’t be a surprise if it manages to cross the collections of Shah Rukh Khan’s "Pathaan", or come close to it.
In Inox Srinagar, "Oppenheimer" is playing four shows a day in the English version and one show is dubbed in Hindi.It is expected to cross the Rs.