By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 26 Oct: An engaging session on Garhwali Cinema was held on the concluding day of the Valley of Words Literature & Arts Festival at Hotel Madhuban, here, today. The discussion, moderated by film actor and senior journalist Satish Sharma, featured young Garhwali film director Siddharth Sharma, actor and music director Rishabh Kumar, and actor Rashmi Nautiyal as panellists.
During the discussion, Satish Sharma recalled that Garhwali cinema, which began in the 1980s, had produced several memorable and successful films such as Jagwal and Ghar Jawain. However, he noted with concern that the current Garhwali films have failed to attract audiences, forcing producers to persuade people to watch them. He emphasised the urgent need for greater professionalism in the regional film industry and remarked that while the Uttarakhand Government’s current film policy is progressive and offers generous subsidies to regional films shot in the state, some filmmakers seem to be producing Garhwali or Kumaoni films merely to claim the subsidy rather than to promote genuine regional art and culture.
Filmmaker Siddharth Sharma agreed with this view, asserting that while the subsidy is a welcome incentive, it should be used responsibly. He stressed that Garhwali filmmakers must focus on professional production values and engage trained and skilled professionals to enhance the quality of their films. Responding to a question from the moderator about the accessibility of Garhwali films to OTT platforms, Siddharth Sharma observed that professionally made content can easily find space on such platforms. He shared that his own film, Ghaprol, has received an encouraging response and that he plans to dub it in Hindi and Haryanvi to reach a wider audience.
Actor Rashmi Nautiyal, who has featured in several Garhwali and Hindi films, including one directed by the renowned filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, recounted her journey from being a homemaker to an actor. She said that despite financial and logistical constraints, her passion for acting kept her motivated. She pointed out that limited budgets often compel Garhwali filmmakers to compromise on quality and resources, adversely affecting the final product. She welcomed the new film policy of the Uttarakhand Government, expressing optimism that with proper support and vision, Garhwali cinema would soon witness a revival.
Actor, dialogue writer, and music director Rishabh Kumar shared that during the making of Ghaprol, he was the only team member fluent in Garhwali, which led him to write the film’s dialogues. He described the experience as a valuable learning opportunity. Emphasising the importance of music in cinema, he said that traditional Garhwali music, especially Jagar, can be depicted very effectively in films. Lamenting that after the late Chandra Singh Rahi and now Pritam Bhartwan, there are few renowned exponents of Jagar, he added that music remains an integral part of storytelling. Citing the example of the Kannada film Kantara, he asserted that music played a major role in its success and that Garhwali cinema must also invest in strong musical and narrative elements to achieve similar recognition.
Although not part of the official panel, Nivedita Baunthiyal, Vice President of the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA), Mumbai, and a native of Dehradun, also shared her insights. She stated that regional cinema holds immense potential but needs professional commitment, creativity, and better execution to thrive in a competitive cinematic landscape.
The session concluded with a consensus among the speakers that Garhwali cinema, despite its challenges, possesses a unique cultural and emotional depth that can resonate with audiences if nurtured with sincerity, professionalism, and artistic integrity.
