Draft:Uttarakhandi Cinema

The film industry of Indian state of Uttarakhand is steadily growing and carving out its place in the world of cinema. Besisides providing entertainment, most of Uttarakhandi movies also offer a glimpse into the everyday lives, struggles, and dreams of the people of Uttarakhand. They often highlight the challenges faced by the people, such as migration, economic hardships, and the preservation of cultural identity in an evolving world.

Uttarakhand has three native dialects: Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari. It was only in the late 20th century that Garhwali and Kumaoni films began to emerge. The first and the only film till now in Jaunsari was made much later in the year 2024.

Garhwali Cinema

Garhwali is a native dialect of Garhwal region of the state.

Made in 1983 by Parashar Gaur Jagwal (The Long Wait) was the first Garhwali movie. It is a family melodrama that revolves around the story of a young woman who has to wait seven years for her husband as he is arrested and sentenced for murder charges immediately after their marriage.

Since then, many films have been produced in Garhwali, a number of which have received good response from audiences. However, Garhwali Cinema is still developing. In recent years, it has gained momentum thanks to the support by the State Government. Presently Uttarakhand is recognised as one of the most Cinema-friendly states.

'Gharjawain', released in 1986, became quite popular. Directed by Taran Taaran Dhasmana, the film features Balraj Negi, Shanti Chaturvedi, Kusum Juyal and Urmi Negi.

Besides focusing on migration and its impact on Uttarakhand’s rural communities, the 1994 film Chakrachal explores the conflict between tradition and modernity.

Released on 26 December, 2014, Suberau Gham (The Morning Sunlight) is a Garhwali film featuring Urmi Negi, Balraj Negi, Baldev Rana, and Ghananand in the lead roles. The film, directed by Naresh Khanna and produced by Urmi Negi, revolves around the consequences of alcoholism.

Released on 1 June, 2018, ‘Major Nirala’ depicts glorious military traditions of Uttarakhand. The movie is directed by Ganesh Veeran and features Hemant Pandey, Himani Shivpuri, Rajesh Malgudi and Rekha Badhani as lead cast.

‘Kanyadaan’is a social drama film on casteism produced in 2019 by Debu Rawat. Also written and directed by him, the film features Gaurav Gairola, Shalini Shah, Rajesh Malgudi, Ramesh Rawat and Geeta Uniyal.

Released on 20 November 2021, Sunpat (film) is a story of love and friendship set in the backdrop of migration driven crisis in the villages of Uttarakhand. The film is directed by Rahul Rawat. Selected under the panorama section for the 52nd International Film Festival of India held at Goa, it is the first film from Uttarakhand to be screened at this prestigious Film Festival.

‘Khairi Ka Din’ is a family drama film made in 2021. Produced and directed by Ashok Chauhan, the movie stars Rajesh Malgudi, Geeta Uniyal, Purushottam Jethudi, and Pooja Kala in prominent roles.

Produced in 2022, ‘Meru Gaun’ depicts the painful compulsions which force the people of hilly areas to migrate, thus turning once prosperous abodes into ghost villages. The film directed by Anuj Joshi and Vibhor Saklani features Rakesh Gaur, Geeta Uniyal and Ramesh Rawat.

The 2023 release ‘Pothli’ is a revenge melodrama produced and directed by Ravi Mamgain. This cry against sex crimes features Babita Mahant, Gokul Panwar, Nisha bahuguna and Naval Semwal in lead roles besides Ravi Mamgain himself.

Written and directed by Pradeep Bhandari, ‘Pitrakuda’ (2024) features Rajesh Joshi, Padam Gussain, Sushma Vyas, Shivani Bhandari and Shubh Chandra. The film is a reminder to respect for elders and responsibilities towards ancestors.

Released in 2024, ‘Daddi Ku Baksa’ is a comedy film directed by Vejay Bharte. Featuring Manju Bahuguna, Vejay Bharte and Purushottam Jehudi in prominent roles, the film depicts the reality of relations in the present scenario, especially the love among siblings fading due to greed.

Released on 27 September, 2024, film ‘Shaheed’ narrates the story of a young soldier who prompts his father to consider remarriage of his wife, in case he gets martyred. Directed by Debu Rawat, the film features Poonam Lakhera, Purushottam Jehudi, Anuj Kandari and Riya Sharma Mundepi.

Released on 24 January, 2025, ‘Ghaprol’ is a comedy film that narrates the experiences of two friends who take a break from their bustling but boring city life and go on a getaway holiday to a village in Uttarkashi. Directed by Siddharth Sharma, the film features Manish Dimri, Karishma Shah and Rishabh Kumar in lead roles.

Kumaoni Cinema

Kumaoni is a Central Pahari language spoken in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.

Megha Aa, the first Kumaoni film, was released in 1987. Directed by Kaka Sharma, the film featured Mukesh Dhasmana, Manjushri and Sapna Avasthi in lead roles.

Released on 6 January, 2017, Gopi Bhina features Hemant Pandey, Himani Shivpuri and Sanju Silodi in lead roles. The comedy movie is directed by Ashok Mall.

2018 film Ghaat was produced and directed by Raj Bisht. The lead cast included Kishor Dharmwal, Mona Bhatt and Rajendra Prasad.

Jaunsari Cinema

First Jaunsari feature film ‘Mere Gaon Ki Baat’ was released on 5 December 2024. Directed by Anuj Joshi, the film stars Abhinav Chauhan, Priyanka and Amit Chauhan in lead roles. The film focuses on importance of joint family and dignity of womanhood.

Challenges before Uttarakhandi Cinema

The scenic beauty of Uttarakhand is a natural asset that attracts film makers from all over India and even abroad, making it a favored destination for film shoots. Yet Uttarakhandi film industry is still in its infancy thanks to several challenges it has to face.

Reaching a wide audience is a big challenge faced by Uttarakhandi films. Dialects of Uttarakhand are understood by few millions only, and spoken by even lesser. A great number of people have migrated from the hilly villages and have lost touch with their dialects. Especially the youth is neither interested in the language, nor with the cinema in its ancestral dialect. People still living in the villages of Uttarakhand understand and speak their respective dialects. But there are no cinema halls in their close vicinity.

Uttarakhandli Cinema has not yet become attractive enough to fetch audiences from far flung areas. Independent filmmakers often struggle with financial constraints due to low box office returns. Most regional films are produced on tight budgets, limiting their aesthetic and technical quality.

The state still lacks the robust film infrastructure needed to support large-scale film productions. Dependence on service providers from other states escalates expenses on equipment and post-production facilities, etc.