MNIK a smash hit in Karachi

Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘My Name Is Khan’ is turning out to be a hit big with the moviegoers in this Pakistani city with the film running to packed houses.

“Normally the 3 and 6 o’clock shows have reasonable attendance and the late night show is packed, but this time we have been witnessing a full house for all three shows which is remarkable,” Nadeem Mandviwalla, owner of Nishat cinema, said.

The movie was released on February 12 in two main cinema theatres and also at the only multiplex which is screening it on two halls with four daily shows to cope with the rush.

“The fact that the Shiv Sena made such a big issue of Shah Rukh Khan’s statement about Pakistani cricketers has also added to the interest in the movie,” Mandviwalla said.

It is also the first major Shah Rukh Khan movie to be released in Pakistan since the government allowed screening of Indian movies in cinema halls two years back.

“In the last two years this is the first proper Shah Rukh Khan starrer that has been released in Pakistan,” another cinema manager said.

Long lines and rows of cars can be seen parked on the busy M. Jinnah road outside the two big cinema halls that are screening ‘My Name Is Khan’, causing trouble for the traffic police who are finding it difficult to cope with the rush.

“Both cinema halls have limited parking space and the people coming to watch the movie are parking their vehicles outside on the main road and that is causing problems since this road is usually congested and has heavy traffic,” traffic police sergeant, Inamullah said.

“Definitely ‘My Name Is Khan’ has generated lot of interest in Pakistan and also contributed significantly to the cultural and arts scene, but overall I think the release of Indian movies is good for us as it means people have some entertainment to look forward too,” art critic, Muneeba said.

Famous television actor and writer, Talat Hussain, said that despite recent bomb blasts in Karachi, the people were still willing to come to cinema halls and theatres to watch movies and dramas.

“It is a good sign and it shows the never say die attitude of our people, and also that our cultural scene is vibrant despite the security issues,” Hussain said.