Second Crime Literature Festival to be held in Dehradun from November 29
The Crime Literature Festival of India (CLFI), the nation’s only festival dedicated to the confluence of crime, literature and cinema, is set to host its second edition from November 29 to December 1 in Dehradun.
The event brings together prominent figures from crime literature, cinema and law enforcement to explore diverse facets of crime narratives.
Following the success of its inaugural edition, the CLFI will again feature an impressive line-up of speakers, including noted filmmakers, writers, actors and former law-enforcement officials. Key figures from the festival's debut included filmmakers like Sujoy Ghosh (known for Kahaani) and Sanjay Gupta (Shootout at Lokhandwala), actors Avinash Tiwary (Khakee: The Bihar Chapter) and Rajshri Deshpande (Sacred Games) and writers such as S Hussain Zaidi (Black Friday) and Kiran Manral (The Reluctant Detective).
Policemen Navniet Sekera, who inspired the web series Bhaukaal, and Rajesh Pandey, author of Operation Bazooka.
The CLFI is led by former DGPs of Uttarakhand Ashok Kumar and Aloke Lal. Kumar said, “Like-minded people who were involved in literature, especially crime literature, came together to bring their stories forward to connect these with cinema to raise awareness among people. This brought together the first edition of the festival last year.”
He said people understand stories, therefore this festival brings a platform to bridge that gap between awareness and the world or crime.
Also present at the press conference was former Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar, who underscored that the festival had a long way to go and to become an institution someday.
Filmmakers, Randeep Jha (director of Kohhra and Trial by Fire) and Zeishan Quadri (writer of Gangs of Wasseypur) were also present on the occasion.
The festival will hold discussions on a wide array of themes, from organised crime and drug trafficking to the portrayal of law enforcement in literature and films. Quadri, Jha, Singh and Kumar underscored the potential of crime literature to reflect social realities and inspire discourse on justice, envisioning the festival as a platform that both informs and engages.
The line-up for the 2024 edition also includes renowned filmmakers Prakash Jha (Gangaajal) and Anubhav Sinha (Article 15), former CRPF Director K. Vijay Kumar (author of Veerappan: Chasing the Brigand), and authors such as S Hussain Zaidi, Avinash Singh Tomar (Mirzapur, screenwriter), and Sunetra Choudhury (Black Warrant). Journalists Nidhi Kulpati and Gargi Rawat will contribute as speakers.
In addition to talks and panels, the CLFI will host short story and short film competitions. The festival is organised by the Doon Cultural and Literary Society.
