Venus Cinema (Okara)

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This was the only movie theater in Okara, since the inception of Pakistan in 1947. I remember watching Noor e Islam movie around 1956. The movie had a beautiful Naat, Shah e Madina Shah e Madina, Yasrab ke wali saare nabi tere der ke sawali.

Later, around 1957 I watched filmstar Neelo's first movie Saat Lakh.

During those good old days Mobile Movie Theaters also used to be erected in open grounds, like an Open Air Theater. Those were called talkies, because before the sound was introduced in the movies, there used to be Silent Movies. Later, with the addition of sound, talkies came into being.

Movie ticket in the hall front rows used to be 6 Aana and back seatsb 12 Aana (3/4th Rupee). Gallery ticket was one Rupee and 4 Aana. Private Booth ticket used to be very expensive, two Rupees and 4 Aana. Movie Theater prices were the same in Okara, Montgomery, Lyalpur, and Lahore etc.

Opposite Venus Cinema was Dehli Wala Mithai Shop, who sold excellent quality sweetmeats and desserts.

I love Okara and have many memories associated it. Our family owned agricultural lands and fruit orchards (Bagh) in the vicinity of Okara, in Gogera, in Karman Wala, and in Marula (North of Renala Khurd). Gogera used to be District Headquarters prior to Montgomery-Sahiwal during British Rule. I grew up in Lahore, but Okara was like a second home for us.

In late 1970s, we moved to USA, and love it here, while my brother and sisters are still settled in Lahore. You can search for uzkmi, through Wikimapia Search Bar on top right and read more about my snippets or tidbits.

Usman Muhammad Khan
New Jersey 08054-3315 USA
Wikimapia User: uzkmi
Updated: August 30, 2012

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