Islamabad's cineplex running to packed houses

Movies are back with a bang here with the first multiplex to have opened in the Pakistani capital doing roaring business, a decade after the last theatre was burnt down by extremists.
On entering the Centaurus Cineplex, Islamabad's first mall, the large posters of Shahrukh Khan-starrer 'Chennai Express', 'Main Hoon Shahid Afridi' and 'Pacific Rim' greet you.
Opened on August 15 in the burgeoning Centaurus Mall, the multiplex has five halls which are equipped with the latest 3D platinum technology system and Dolby digital sound system.
With a seating capacity of about 700 people, there is even a Gold Lounge that can seat 17 people.

"People in Pakistan watch lot of Indian films on DVDs and even cable channels show Indian films. So Bollywood films are anyway favourites here. Earlier people had to travel all the way to Rawalpindi to watch a film," Aamir Haider, Director, Mandviwalla Entertainment which runs the Centaurus Cineplex told PTI.
He said another big draw in Islamabad besides the locals are the diplomatic community as travelling to Rawalpindi was a big hassle for them due to number of reasons, including getting security clearances.

"We have invited all envoys posted in Islamabad. Many have come and watched a film here in the last two weeks. They have liked it and so have their families," Haider said.

The prices are for the elite. The tickets cost as much as Rs 500 for a normal movie and Rs 600 for a 3D film.
While at the Gold lounge, the movies are Rs 1250 and Rs 1500 respectively.
But the fact that this is the only theatre in Islamabad that caters for movies across genres, it is no surprise that most days the theatre remains packed.