INOX Cinema theatre owner Vijay Dhar, with just two days left for the release of “Jawan,” is hoping for a repeat of the success that Shah Rukh Khan’s previous film, “Pathaan,” enjoyed in Srinagar.
“Jawan” is Shah Rukh Khan’s second theatrical offering in 2023, arriving nearly eight months after the remarkable performance of “Pathaan,” which became one of the year’s biggest Hindi hits.
Described by the makers as a high-octane action thriller that “narrates the emotional journey of a man determined to correct societal wrongs,” “Jawan” is directed by Atlee and is set to hit screens in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu on Thursday.
“We opened pre-booking two days ago. Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday are completely booked. We have only scheduled two shows for Friday due to prayers. ‘Pathaan’ performed exceptionally well, and we expect a similar response for Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Jawan’,” Dhar, a prominent educationist, stated.
While the success of “Pathaan” was expected due to Shah Rukh’s fanbase in the region, Dhar expressed surprise at how Kashmiri audiences, particularly young students, embraced “Oppenheimer,” a Hollywood film about the theoretical physicist and father of the nuclear bomb, Robert J Oppenheimer, portrayed by Cillian Murphy.
“We didn’t anticipate the film to do so well. It was a real surprise for us,” he noted regarding the Cillian Murphy starrer.
INOX Cinema, inaugurated in the Sonawar area on September 20, 2022, is Kashmir’s first multiplex with three screens and a total capacity of 520 seats. It screened “Laal Singh Chaddha” on its opening day.
Dhar mentioned that three decades ago, there were no cinema halls in the Valley, but the culture of movie-watching is gradually taking root. He hopes that local audiences who previously traveled to Jammu to watch their favorite stars on the big screen will respond positively to theatrical releases.
Apart from Shah Rukh Khan, “Jawan” also stars Vijay Sethupathi, Nayanthara, and features Deepika Padukone in a special appearance. The movie includes a cast of Sanya Malhotra, Priyamani, Girija Oak, Sanjeeta Bhattacharya, Lehar Khan, Aaliyah Qureshi, Ridhi Dogra, Sunil Grover, and Mukesh Chhabra in key roles.
A presentation by Red Chillies Entertainment, “Jawan” is produced by Gauri Khan and co-produced by Gaurav Verma.
