DOHA: The Gulf Cinema complex in Najma that boasts twin theatres and is closed for maintenance currently, will be reopening in a few weeks, an official said yesterday.
The cinema complex popular with limited-income expatriates mainly from South Asia was closed last Thursday without any prior notice and a specific date for re-opening has not been announced.
Moshen El Mokadem, General Manager of Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution Company that owns the complex yesterday said the facility will reopen soon, refusing to specify a time frame.
Gulf Cinema and Doha Cinema at Gulf Cinema complex mostly screen Indian films. And as an alternative arrangement the films which were scheduled to be shown at the Gulf Cinema complex are being screened at cinemas at The Mall and Landmark, which are also managed by the Qatar Cinema and Film Distribution Company.
However, people in those posh theatres will have to pay more to watch the films. Tickets at the Gulf Cinema were priced at between QR 15 and QR 25.
“Our cinema complex is closed temporally for some general maintenance work. We are doing our best to reopen it soon. It wouldn’t take more than a few weeks,” said El Mokadem.
“We are screening Indian films at the Mall and Landmark as an alternative arrangement in the interim,” he added.
Replying to questions from this newspaper, El Mokadem said there were no plans to demolish the complex to make way for some development project.
“Nothing of that sort will happen,” he emphatically said when asked if there were plans to develop some bigger project on the huge complex premises.
The seating capacity of Doha Cinema is 1,100 while that of the Gulf Cinema is 987.
“Gulf Cinema is an affordable place and they mostly show Indian films. Even if it is for few weeks, it will be problem for bachelors, especially the workers are not allowed to enter shopping malls during the weekends and those places are expensive,” said an Indian bachelor working in Doha for several years.
However there are others appreciate the decision to close the Gulf Cinema complex for renovation.
THE PENINSULA
