In a move that symbolises the erasure of Afghanistan's modern cultural history, Taliban authorities have used bulldozers to demolish Kabul's historic Ariana cinema. The iconic venue, which for decades served as a hub for film fans, is being cleared to make way for a commercial shopping mall.
From Cultural Beacon to Casualty of Conflict
Built in the 1960s, the Ariana cinema was once a thriving centre where audiences gathered to watch films from around the world, including popular Bollywood features. Its fortunes, however, mirrored the nation's turbulent decades. The cinema was largely destroyed during the brutal civil war between 1992 and 1996, which preceded the Taliban's first period of rule.
A symbol of tentative revival, the Ariana was rebuilt through a French-led restoration effort after the US-led invasion in 2001. It reopened in a ceremony in May 2004, attended by the French culture minister and secured by French soldiers. Despite this rebirth, the cinema struggled financially in the following years. Its 600 red felt seats grew worn and the building became dilapidated, though it continued to operate, screening a variety of films and hosting premieres.
A Final Blow Under Taliban Rule
The cinema's fate was sealed when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The regime swiftly reimposed its strict ban on many forms of film, music, and public entertainment, in line with its fundamentalist interpretation of Islamic law. Operations at the Ariana were drastically reduced. Asita Ferdous, the cinema's female director, was ordered to stay away from her workplace along with other female government employees in November 2021.
On 18 December 2025, the final act was carried out. Bulldozers moved in to tear down the walls of the Ariana, reducing the cultural landmark to rubble. This demolition follows a similar pattern seen in Kabul; the city's Park Cinema was also torn down in November 2020 to be replaced by a mall.
Memories in the Dust
The Ariana's legacy is preserved in memories and photographs. It was the venue for the 2010 premiere of Black Tulip, directed by Sonia Nassery Cole, which became Afghanistan's nomination for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. Images from its heyday show projectionists in their booths, ushers selling refreshments in the interval, and audiences eagerly waiting for the lights to dim.
The demolition marks more than the loss of a building; it represents the systematic removal of spaces dedicated to public storytelling, shared experience, and artistic expression under the current regime. For now, the future of the site holds not film reels but retail units, as another piece of Kabul's social fabric is irrevocably altered.
