'Kashi of the Himalayas' 2nd at Chitra Bharati Film Festival

Shimla, February 26

‘Kashi of the Himalayas’, a documentary film by Shimla-based director Aman Sharma, has won the first runners-up prize in the ‘Best Documentary Film’ category in the Fifth Chitra Bharati Film Festival 2024 held at Indradhanush Auditorium in Panchkula, Haryana.

Depicts belief

The festival was a medium to bring together the artistes of Indian cinema. The film depicts the divine celebrations before Mahashivratri and devotion of people who believe in Lord Bhootnath, Madho Rai and the local deities of Mandi district. — Aman Sharma, Director

The director was presented a memento and Rs 50,000. The documentary has been written by Deeksha Katoch and edited by Alkesh Sonaji.

Aman said the festival was a medium to bring together talented artistes and producers of Indian cinema and honour their outstanding contributions.

“The documentary depicts the divine celebrations before Mahashivratri and devotion of people who believe in Lord Bhootnath, Madho Rai and the local deities of Mandi district,” he added.

The documentary ‘Next Stop Folk Music’, co-directed by Ashwani Ranjan, Abhay Dubey, Kajal Kapoor and Anubhuti Mehta, was awarded the Best Documentary Award in the Professional Campus category. All four are the students of Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at the Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamsala.

A total of 139 films helmed by Indian and foreign directors were screened in the three-day film festival. About 20 films from the state were sent to the festival. Three were shortlisted and screened during the festival that concluded on February 25.

The film festival was inaugurated by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, while renowned film directors Vivek Agnihotri of “Kashmir Files” fame and Sudipto Sen of “The Kerala Story” fame were among those present.