State-era cinema of Swat which is now in decay

Swat’s only cinema, established during the state era, is in dire straits. There was a time when there used to be a window-breaking rush in this cinema, but as modern technology and social media took hold, the cinema fell into disrepair.

Swat Cinema was established sixty years ago during the state era. At that time there were two cinemas in Swat, one Palusha Cinema and the other Swat Cinema, Palusha Cinema was later demolished and converted into a Plaza, but Swat Cinema is still standing today.

Tafar Ali, the owner of the cinema, said that English, Hindi, Urdu and Pashto films were played in this cinema and there were three shows a day. ‘There used to be window-breaking rushes in the cinema and getting a movie ticket was like winning a lion. ‘

He further says that people from all over the division used to come to watch movies in Swat cinema while hundreds of people were also employed in the cinema.

Wali Swat Mian Gul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb, along with others, used to watch movies in Swat Cinema, whose special chair is still present in the cinema.

Barkat Ali, who works in the cinema, said that when cinema was in its heyday and people preferred to watch movies in cinemas, there was a lot of income and a good life.

“Then time has changed, modern technology, CD, DVD, internet have replaced cinema and now people watch movies at home or on their mobiles, due to which Swat Cinema is like other three cinemas in the province. The language is suffering.’

During the terrorism in Swat, where other cinema houses were targeted across the province, cinemas including CD shops were also closed due to which the trend of watching movies decreased.

Tafar Ali, the owner of Swat Cinema, said that even during the Corona epidemic, they faced a severe financial crisis and lost about 18 lakh rupees. The machinery in the cinema is also old, while the modern technology has pushed the cinema into misery. When the show starts, only 60 to 70 people go to the cinema, which does not even cover the rent of the cinema.’

Cultural shows and musical festivals were also organized in Swat cinema but now the district administration does not allow these shows which has made it difficult to meet the expenses of the cinema.

The reason for the decline of cinema in Swat is also going to be sub-standard Pashto films, people say that there was a time when Swat cinema used to play standard Urdu and Pashto films, but now films with Kalashnikov culture are neglected by the moviegoers. is causing