The provincial metropolis of Quetta is gearing up for its first theater, Weplex Pak Force Cinema, set to open doors to the public on March 4. The very promising project, valued at around Rs100 million, is the brainchild of film distributor Jahanzaib Khan.
Investing excessive money in an untapped market like Quetta might seem too risky to the tender-hearted, but Khan feels it is an acknowledgment of the city’s potential.
“Until a few weeks ago, before Quetta Gladiators came into prominence, people considered the city a backward area with just mountains. Well, the truth is that life here has been moving on. Even the security situation is showing signs of improvement,” he said.
Brimming with confidence, Khan says he was looking for a suitable cinema location before finding the perfect place. “The location is ideal and very secure, within the limits of Quetta cantonment.” With as many as 0.3 million people living in the suburb and the strict security protocols enforced by the cantonment administration, Khan has little to worry about.
Regarding return on investment, he feels the cinema will prove to be a resounding success and gain popularity with the residents of Quetta. “People in Quetta have been deprived of quality entertainment for so long. They have no place to visit for enjoyment,” he says. He admits things might be different in the rest of the country, but the cinema business in Quetta has always been tricky. Citing the examples of the city’s popular single-screen cinemas, Paradise and Imdad, he says, “Even now, they run only one show every day with hardly anyone in attendance.”
However, in his opinion, Weplex Pak Force Cinema will not only be a game-changer for mainstream films in Balochistan but also benefit regional cinema in the long haul. With only a few days before showtime, the place has already become an attraction, with curious onlookers already scouting the theatre. “People are showing up in large numbers, asking about the facility and requesting tours … so much so that we had to seal the gates so they don’t barge in.”
Described as a theater, the 3D cinema will begin operations with a single-screen hall that has a seating capacity of 300. On the other hand, work is still underway on its Gold Theatre, which will have 100 seats. Should these two halls do well, is there room for expansion? Khan responds, “Yes! Let’s see … for now, we are going step-by-step.”
Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including Dolby Digital Sound 7.1, the cinema has a curved screen measuring 15ft in height and 34ft in width. “The Arena, Lahore previously held the record for the largest screen in Pakistan,” he maintains.
Although the cinema is yet to start functioning, news of its development has already reached Quetta’s film fraternity, which is buoyant, to say the least. Celebrated television and film actor Ayub Khosa says the cinema will introduce a new celebrity culture in the province. “Imagine the premieres of local films taking place in Quetta and celebrities coming to the red carpet,” he says.
Enthusiastic filmmakers have already begun dialing Khan’s number, requesting him to allow their films the honor of being the first to be screened at the theater. “A few days ago, I received a call from Jami, who asked if we could show Moor at Weplex, given its Quetta-centric story. Nabeel Qureshi and Humayun Saeed made similar offers with Na Maloom Afraad and Jawani Phir Nahi Ani,” recalls the cinema owner. Khan even states a Quetta premiere of the Mohib Mirza, and Sanam Saeed-starrer Bachaana is on the cards.
Although Weplex is Quetta’s first theater, if things go according to plan, Khan will soon put into motion another one in the heart of the city.
Who knows, maybe in a few years’ time, a movie on the success of Quetta Gladiators might premiere at Weplex itself!
