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Cinema halls expect huge holiday rush

DUBAI — Cinema theatres are anticipating a huge rush during the Eid Al Adha holidays. With many locals and expatriates staying back in the UAE for the week-long break, theatre managers are expecting residents to lap up tickets for the movies being screened currently as well as the new releases.

Several films like the Bee Movie and Hitman, which were released earlier this week, are already drawing good turnouts. Animation films, Hindi films and a few American films, set to release during Eid, are expected to draw a lerger number of families and kids.

K. Basheer, manager of Plaza Cinemas, said, “Usually during Eid holidays, we have a good crowd. Bachelors and families like to go to theatres for Eid. We are expecting huge bookings. We are releasing Hindi film Taare Zameen Par for Eid. This film is for children and the movie would surely be a crowd puller.”

Nelson DíSouza, manager of Lamzy Plaza, said the bookings would be much better than normal days. “Everyone is on holidays now, so there would be a rush at the theatres. Other days, weekends get a better response and weekdays are a little scarce.”

He added that with Indian films Taare Zameen Par and Welcome hitting the screens today, “Enquiries for bookings have already started coming in. Both are family movies, which even children can see.”

Hiyam Itani, Publicity and Promotions Manager, from Empire International, a distributor said, “Alvin and the Chimpunks which will be out on Thursday is a must see and is the family film for the holiday season.”

An official from Grand Cineplex, who didn’t want to be named, said that tickets for the Bee Movie and Hitman, which have seven shows a day, are selling fast.

American film, Mr Magorium, action-packed National Treasure 2, 30 Days of Night, a horror film and animation movie, Alvin and the Chimpunks, are all releasing today.

Meanwhile residents are also eagerly awaiting these releases. Eight-year-old Aaron White said he was excited about animation movies and is hoping his parents would take him to watch a few of them.