After successfully hosting the G-20 delegates in May 2023, the Union Territory administration in Jammu and Kashmir is fully geared up for hosting Rang-e-Cinema, its first international film festival beginning September 7 on the banks of the world-famous Dal Lake, amid tight security arrangements.
Positioning Kashmir as a Global Cinema Destination
During the four-day film festival, officials will make an all-out effort to hard-sell the image of Jammu and Kashmir as a “major international destination for cinema, filmmaking, creative collaboration and cultural exchange.” Ahead of rolling out the red-carpet welcome for the star-studded audience and international filmmakers, the J&K Government’s Information and Public Relations Department is working hard to ensure the grand success of the festival and boost the region’s image as one of the safest destinations for shooting films in the lap of Mother Nature.
Elaborate Security Arrangements
According to official sources, elaborate security arrangements have been planned in and around the main venues of the film festival. To secure the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), located on the banks of Dal Lake, elite commandos will be deployed alongside quick reaction teams of the central paramilitary and J&K police forces. Marine commandos of the Indian Navy are also likely to be stationed on Dal Lake, frequently launching long-range patrols to secure the venue from any form of threat.
135 Entries from 41 Countries
A total of 135 entries from 41 countries have been shortlisted for the festival. Of these, 64 entries have been shortlisted from India, 13 films from France, and eight from Iran, making them among the largest contingents at the international festival. Other participating countries include Türkiye, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Spain, Brazil, Qatar, Argentina, the United States, South Korea, Colombia, and Taiwan.
The shortlisted films and programmes will be showcased at SKICC and INOX PVR in Srinagar, Waves Cinema in Jammu, and at the Gulmarg health resort, spreading the festival’s footprint across multiple key locations in the Union Territory.
LG Sinha Chairs High-Level Security Review
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting with senior officials, assessing the security apparatus and strategic preparedness across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the festival.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, DGP Nalin Prabhat, Principal Secretary of the Home Department Chandraker Bharti, Special DG Coordination PHQ SJM Gillani, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, ADGP CID M.K. Sinha, IGP Kashmir Sujit Kumar, IGP Jammu Tejinder Singh, IGP Crime Branch Sarah Rizvi, along with Divisional Commissioners, DIGs, and other senior officials.
During the meeting, the DGP and Principal Secretary Home apprised the Lieutenant Governor of the overall security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir. IGPs, DIGs, and Divisional Commissioners briefed the Lieutenant Governor on the security situation in their respective areas, anti-terror operations, law and order, drug smuggling, and other emerging challenges. The meeting also held comprehensive and detailed deliberations on a wide range of other critical issues.
Directives on Counter-Terror Operations and Digital Vigilance
The Lieutenant Governor instructed senior officials to maintain sustained pressure on terror networks and enhance ground-level operational synergy, calling for an aggressive area domination strategy to decisively eliminate emerging threats.
He also directed officials to carry out close monitoring of social media platforms to counter anti-national propaganda, digital misinformation, and online blackmailing. The Lieutenant Governor instructed all officers to maintain heightened operational vigilance, seamless inter-agency coordination, and a proactive approach to safeguarding peace and maintaining law and order in the Union Territory.
A Test of Security and Global Positioning
With the Rang-e-Cinema festival poised to bring international attention to Jammu and Kashmir, the coordinated security planning across land, water, and digital domains reflects the administration’s dual objective — ensuring a secure environment for the event while reinforcing the region’s positioning as a safe and attractive destination for global filmmakers and cultural exchange.
