The silver screen made its first appearance in Sind in 1920-21. Cinema houses were usually open air spaces where people used to gather to see the films. Silent movies were the order of the day and films were usually brought from abroad. For those Swho see the advertising and marketing strategies employed nowadays to promote films will be surprised to know that advertising was prevalent in those days also and was probably the only way of informing people about the film shows. People carrying placards and banners were accompanied with drummers who used to attract the attention of one and sundry and announce the salient features of the film.

Stalls meant sitting on the ground on a mat and costed a tako (two paise) whereas a seat on a wooden beach costed one anna and a seat on a chair costed tow annas. Being silent films and that too with English characters. The proceedings on the screen were explained by a man in the front who gave a running commentary and explained the situations to the crowd. Students and cock -eyed (kaano) people were considered lucky as they were entitled to a 50% discount. 1930 saw talkie films emerging which brought about cinema houses with color film gradually making a appearance in the late 40's.