Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Mar 24:
The inaugural Tawi Filmotsva 2025, organized by the Jammu Kashmir Cine Association (JKCA), concluded with grandeur, celebrating the exceptional contributions of filmmakers, actors, and creative professionals. The event recognized winners, runners-up, and other contributors with cash prizes and certificates, acknowledging their dedication to the art of filmmaking.
A total of 38 films were showcased at the festival, each reflecting merit and creativity, captivating audiences in the packed Abhinav Theatre. The initiative by local filmmakers of Jammu and Kashmir was met with overwhelming appreciation, as the audience cheered the cinematic excellence on display. The festival served as a landmark event in the regional film industry, fostering a culture of artistic innovation and storytelling.
The culminating ceremony was graced by Director of Information, Nitish Rajora, and JKAACL Secretary, Harvinder Kour, who lauded JKCA for its commendable efforts in providing a significant platform for filmmakers in the region. The festival aimed to offer a vibrant space for artists to showcase their talent while promoting Jammu and Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage through the power of cinema.
Tawi Filmotsva 2025 set a precedent in reshaping the cinematic landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. The festival not only provided a prestigious stage for filmmakers but also helped bridge the gap between regional and mainstream cinema. In the competitive category, the Best Film award, accompanied by a cash prize of Rs 10,000, was won by ‘Beads of Breath’ directed by Shoaib Shawl from Kashmir. The second-best film, ‘The Worth’ by J. R. Sagar, received a cash prize of Rs 7,000, while ‘Naya Kashmir’ by Sudeh Verma secured the third-best film award with a cash prize of Rs 5,000.
The Best Actor (Male) award, along with a cash prize of Rs 2,000, was conferred upon Rohan Kapoor for his performance in ‘Love Ka Love,’ while the Best Actor (Female) award and the same cash prize went to Sapna Soni for ‘The Dawn.’ The Best Director award, carrying a cash prize of Rs 3,000, was presented to Akhil Abrol for ‘Antim Sandesh.’ Additionally, a special prize of Rs 3,000 was awarded to the youngest filmmaker, Saujanya Shekhar, for his outstanding work. Conso lation prizes of Rs 1,000 each were given to films that showcased exceptional storytelling and vision. The recipients included ‘Hunger’ by Irfan Chaudhary, ‘Mitu – The Rising’ by Vikram Sharma, ‘I Am Valmiki’ by Sandeep Rattan, and ‘Teetwal’ by Rajnish Gupta.
In addition to recognizing filmmakers, JKCA honored numerous esteemed thespians and stalwarts from diverse fields with the prestigious ‘Kala Shree Samman.’ The honorees included Sandeshveer, Janak Khajuria, Madan Rangila, J. R. Sagar, Arun Bakshi, Arvind Anand, Harbans Sharma, Vijay Mallah, Lalita Tapasvi, Veena Dogra, Santosh Sangra, Anjna Mishra, N. D. Jamwal, Mohan Singh, Shiv Mehta, Baljeet Singh, and Pritam Katoch.
The event was skillfully anchored by Kusum Tickoo and Irfan Chaudhary, adding to the evening’s charm and elegance. With its successful debut, Tawi Filmotsva 2025 set the stage for future cinematic endeavors, cementing its place as a milestone in the evolution of Jammu and Kashmir’s film industry.
