In terror-hit Anantnag, CRPF revives 'Heaven' movie hall after 28 years

ANANTNAG: Inside the forbidding iron gates manned by CRPF jawans, on a screen a little way in, Shahid Kapoor arrives on a Royal Enfield to woo ladylove Shradha Kapoor with Gold Tamba, to loud whistles and cheers in the packed cinema hall in Anantnag.
Thirty years on, this lively scene returned to one of the Valley's most turbulent areas of south Kashmir, allegedly a "safe haven" of more than "200-odd terrorists from Pakistan" and local militants, reportedly why the Lok Sabha election to this seat has been spread over three days: April 23, 29 and May 6.
On March 6, CRPF revived the 70mm screen in its office at the 40 Battalion headquarters which had been reduced to rubbles in a grenade attack in 1991. The building was a commercial property which was converted into a cinema hall, Heaven, by local businessmen in 1989.
"It's an emotional comeback for the theatre. Heaven is synonymous with Kashmir and appropriately named by its owners. It was in a shambles for 30 years. We went around Delhi looking for a screen, Dolby speakers, film rights and projectors last year. We cleaned up the doors and made way for the same lights, re-painted the ticket window. That's the film poster of Batti Gul Meter Chalu," says Ashu Shukla, commandant, 40 Battalion, CRPF. "The movie was a hit here," he grins.
The last movie screened here was Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Kalia in 1991, which still ignites the love for Bollywood among locals. The theatre has been opened to civilians; the seating capacity, including balcony seats, is 525.
"We have done our bit to revive the cinema hall to give force personnel an evening of enjoyment but also an avenue for locals, especially younger generation, that such a culture existed," said Shukla.
For the first few weeks, the CRPF has decided to screen the movie "on the house" but later may keep the rates very nominal, not beyond Rs 30-Rs 50. "We must have this continue for a long time. I've already seen Paltan and Batti Gul twice here," said Khaleel, who works in the neighbourhood. Operational concerns and routine encounters have pegged back the plans to screen the movie daily and restrict it for a weekly screening.