The first-ever open-air floating theatre in the country has been launched in the famous Dal Lake of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday evening.

The theatre was inaugurated by J-K Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta.

Bollywood classic film 'Kashmir ki Kali' starring Shammi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore was shown to tourists and residents of the area in the theatre.

Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary, Tourism and Culture, J-K government said that the theatre will benefit tourism in the union territory. He said the concept of open-air is pretty unique, not found anywhere in this world. 

"It will greatly advantage the tourism in Kashmir. Shikara, houseboat owners, the hotel industry is welcoming tourists with open hands. J-K is safest from the Covid point of view since the entire tourist industry is vaccinated," he told ANI.

The theatre aims to attract tourism to the union territory. Kashmir has earned fame on a global level for its natural beauty and Bollywood filmmakers have called it a 'photographers paradise'.

On this occasion, a Shikara rally, adorned with shining lights passed through Nehru Park to Kabootar Khana with local artists singing and dancing to Kashmiri songs which entertained guests and passersby.