KATHMANDU: Friends Cinema, which has been successfully operating in Dharan and Butwal, has officially launched its third branch in the scenic hill town of Ilam.

The new cinema hall was inaugurated on Friday amid a grand ceremony at Ilam Municipality–7.

The event was graced by the presence of popular Nepali actor Paul Shah, renowned actress Usha Upreti, and action director and producer Chandra Pant.

Local audiences turned out in large numbers, cheering enthusiastically and creating a festive atmosphere as they welcomed their favorite stars.

Constructed with an investment of approximately Rs 35 million, the new hall features a seating capacity of 188.

The cinema is located within the municipality’s multi-storey parking complex and is equipped with world-class technology to enhance the viewing experience.

According to Friends Cinema Chair Pradeep Dhami, the hall is fitted with two-projector digital projection and a Dolby Digital sound system, offering audio-visual quality comparable to premium multiplexes in Kathmandu.

This ensures that audiences in Ilam can now enjoy high-quality cinema without traveling to larger cities.

Operators Pradeep Dhami, Pushkar Ghimire, and Ashish Tamang stated that the primary goal of opening the Ilam branch is to provide a comfortable, family-friendly, and well-equipped environment for local viewers.

“Our mission is to deliver capital-city-level service to audiences in smaller towns,” said Dhami. “With the opening of Friends Cinema in Ilam, film lovers here no longer need to travel to Jhapa just to watch quality films. We have prioritized modern technology, comfortable seating, and a welcoming family atmosphere.”

At a time when Ilam lacked a standard cinema hall, the arrival of Friends Cinema marks a significant milestone for the local entertainment industry. With the new facility in operation, newly released Nepali films will now be screened in Ilam on the same day as their nationwide release. This development benefits not only local residents but also domestic and international tourists visiting the popular hill destination, adding a new entertainment option to the town’s attractions.

Friends Cinema has also announced plans to expand its chain to other cities across Nepal in the coming days.

Director Ashish H Tamang shared that the company aims to open more cinema halls in various districts whenever feasible.

He emphasized that strengthening the domestic film market must begin by expanding access to cinema halls outside major cities.

Highlighting the current lack of proper cinema infrastructure in smaller towns, Tamang noted that if small-scale cinema halls were established district by district, the domestic film market could more than double even under present conditions.