Daughter of the Garhwal Himalayas, Srishti Lakhera, Wins Big at National Film Festival!

Srishti Lakhera, a talented filmmaker hailing from Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, has brought home a prestigious award at the 69th National Film Festival! Her movie, “Ek Tha Gaon” (Once Upon a Village), won the coveted prize in the non-feature film category.

Srishti, a Miranda House and Washington University graduate, beautifully captured a story in both Garhwali dialects and Hindi. This win is a moment of pride not just for Srishti, but for the entire Garhwal region.

A Family that Supports Dreams

Srishti comes from a supportive family. Her father, a renowned child specialist in Rishikesh, runs a clinic named “Kilkaari.” Though her background may be modest, with her mother a homemaker and brother running a business in Delhi, they’ve always encouraged her artistic pursuits.

More About the Awards

The 69th National Film Festival saw a wave of cinematic excellence. While “Rocketry: The Nambi Effect” bagged the best feature film award, “Ek Tha Gaon” stood tall in the non-feature category. Other notable mentions include Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Gangubai Kathiawadi,” Vicky Kaushal’s “Sardar Udham Singh,” and S.S. Rajamouli’s “RRR.” Notably, “The Kashmir Files” received the Nargis Dutt Award for National Integration, recognizing its powerful portrayal of the Kashmiri Pandit community’s struggles.

Celebrating Cinematic Achievements

The announcement of award winners on May 9th, 2024, was a joyous occasion for Indian cinema. Srishti Lakhera’s “Ek Tha Gaon” stands as a testament to the power of regional stories and the talent brimming in our own backyards. Congratulations to Srishti and all the winners for their remarkable achievements!

To read more such inspiring stories from Uttarakhand, click here.