Indian blockbuster 'Pathaan' a big draw in Qatar too

Bollywood thriller ‘Pathaan’ has witnessed a huge response in India and places around the world, including in Qatar, it is learnt.
The much-anticipated Shah Rukh Khan starrer was released at a large number of screens in theatres around Qatar on January 25, and saw particularly big crowds during the opening weekend. Many shows were reportedly sold out.
The spy thriller directed by Siddharth Anand also stars Deepika Padukone and John Abraham in key roles, with Salman Khan making a much-lauded cameo appearance.
According to reports, 'Pathaan' has shattered many box office records for a Hindi movie, with large crowds witnessed at cinemas in India and elsewhere. The film's producers, Yash Raj Films, said it had earned $72.09mn worldwide (gross) until Monday.
In Qatar, too, the film has attracted big crowds. It is Shah Rukh's first release in four years, and fans eagerly anticipated the movie.
“We are showing this movie at three locations: The Mall, Katara Cinema and Royal Plaza. We had a 'full house' for all the shows on the opening days. People have welcomed the movie with both arms,” Mohsin Waqar, operations manager of Qatar Cinema, told Gulf Times.
“The audience is made up of not just Indians or people from the Indian subcontinent, but several Qatari nationals are also among the people watching the movie in theatres and enjoying it. It has been well accepted by the audience here in Qatar and the movie is drawing a good response from every corner,” he added.
Meanwhile, those who have watched the film echoed similar sentiments with most of them feeling contented with the movie. “I went with my friends to watch the movie on the first day and we were very satisfied with the performance of the actors as well as the storyline. It was really heartening to watch a Shah Rukh starrer on the big screen after several years and he did not disappoint us. It was worth watching the movie in a theatre and we would love to see it once again," said Greg Reji , a Shah Rukh fan.
“It is a typical Bollywood masala movie that entertains fans to the maximum. In addition, the story has several twists and turns and grips the audience in a big way. All in all, it was worth the money and we enjoyed it till the last minute,” added another film enthusiast.
'Pathaan' screenings at cinemas in Villaggio, City Center and Asian Town, among other places, have also reportedly witnessed high footfall.
An Indian expatriate said he had to buy tickets to a midnight show for his family last weekend because the previous shows were mostly sold out and only some seats at the front were available. "Even the midnight show was almost full, and the audience included many families," he added.