Pakistan’s first 3D cinema gets a full house despite strike | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Pakistan’s first 3D cinema gets a full house despite strike

KARACHI: On the last day of the year 2010, citizens of Karachi were given something to cheer about as the first 3D cinema in the country opened its door to the public despite a strike call given by religious parties.

The management was apprehensive about the turnout but decided to keep their promise of opening the cinema for public. “Even though there were concerns about the situation in the city, we had to put on the show, or else refunds had to be made,” said Atrium Cinema supervisor.

Director for Mandviwalla Entertainment Nawab Hasan Siddiqui said this project will definitely encourage the cinema industry. Not disclosing the investment made, he said recovery will take some time but the company is “very confident” that the project would succeed. The man behind the project, Nadeem Mandviwalla, watched his first 3D movie in 1983 but it wasn’t until he watched James Cameron’s 3D digital Avatar that he knew he “must bring this technology to Pakistan.”

Supporting her son-in-law Nadeem Mandviwalla was Mrs Nasim Shaikh, who was excited about watching her first 3D movie. She hoped that soon good Indian and Pakistani movies will also be shown in 3D with “some great songs and most importantly well-choreographed dances.”

“It is crucial for cinema culture to be revived and for the film industry to get a desperately needed boost,” said Pakistan film star Nadeem Baig. He added that the public craves good, clean entertainment and they deserve to get.

Another big name of the silver screen, Mustafa Qureshi said, “Even though our films are not in 3D we still need cinema houses of this calibre to encourage moviegoers. Our movies are currently not worthy of being on these screens but I hope we will soon move in the right direction and make some world-class movies.” Qureshi suggested such new projects should be exempted from taxes.

A former television producer, Nofil Naqvi, was “very excited” about the city’s new technology. “You get a very definitive perception of depth plus we needed cinemas where the hall seat doesn’t break in the middle of the movie,” he said recalling an experience with his friend at another cinema in Karachi.

Chief Guest at the event federal minister for culture Aftab Shah Gillani said the government is doing all it can to support the cinema and film industry. He said that the government plans to support the industry by giving them a processing lab for film which will be set up in Lahore in a year, said a media report.
Source: The News
Date:1/1/2011