It could well have been featured in ‘Ripley’s Believe it or Not,’ but few would have realised that Pukekohe had had to go without a cinema hall for 30 years.
The ‘cine-dry’ status ended on March 4 when a new state-of-the-art complex was inaugurated with fanfare and enthusiastic participation of the Indian community.
Simply called, ‘Cinema 3,’ the complex is owned by Dan and Div Damodar, National MP Paul Hutchinson, Alastair Hutchinson, Brent Greig and Philip Greig.
Oscar winner Sir Richard Taylor who helped New Zealand to gain status in the global film industry, inaugurated the new complex.
“The Damodars, who have cinemas throughout the Pacific, are confident that Pukekohe’s new cinema complex will go well. The theatre has already held special screenings of Bollywood movies and is keen to ensure that the best possible Indian films are available. There are three cinemas as well as the food and drinks upstairs, and soon three restaurants will become operational,” Mr Paul Hutchinson said.
Among the highlights of the evening were the dance performances of Neelam and Krishma Hari.
