• Floating screen blends films, nostalgia and Kashmir’s iconic landscape
• Classic Hindi movies recall Valley’s enduring tryst with Bollywood
Srinagar, September 8: The waters of Dal Lake have become an unconventional cinema venue, with a floating screen turning the iconic Srinagar landmark into an open-air theatre as part of the first International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK).
The initiative, one of the festival’s most eye-catching attractions, is bringing cinema closer to the public while reviving memories of the Valley’s decades-old association with Hindi films.
On Monday, the opening evening of the four-day festival, spectators gathered along the banks of Dal Lake to watch the 1961 classic Junglee on a screen placed over the water.
The setting offered an experience far removed from a conventional cinema hall, with audiences watching the film against the backdrop of the lake, houseboats and surrounding landscape.
The Floating Cinema continued its screenings on Tuesday with Arzoo (1965), which was shown between 8 pm and 10 pm.
According to the festival schedule, Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) is scheduled for September 9, while Kabhi Kabhie (1976) will be screened on September 10.
The choice of films carries a strong nostalgic appeal. All four movies belong to an era when Kashmir’s landscapes were deeply woven into the visual vocabulary of mainstream Hindi cinema.
For generations, locations such as Dal Lake, Pahalgam and other parts of the Valley have appeared in songs and films, shaping the popular imagination of Kashmir across the country.
The floating-screen concept, however, gives that relationship a different dimension.
Instead of Kashmir appearing on the screen, the audience is watching cinema from within one of the landscapes that helped make the Valley a favourite location for filmmakers.
The initiative comes at a time when IFFJK is attempting to open a wider conversation around cinema and Jammu & Kashmir.
Filmmakers and actors attending the festival have spoken about the need to portray the region beyond its scenic beauty, with greater emphasis on local people, culture, traditions and stories.
“We have watched Kashmir in films for decades, but seeing a film while sitting beside Dal Lake feels completely different. The lake itself becomes part of the movie experience,” a local Muneer Ahmad Lone said.
He said Kashmir has always had a close connection with cinema. Initiatives like this can bring that old relationship back while also giving visitors a new experience.
Another local Yousuf Ali said that it is good to see an international film festival bringing activities outside the auditorium. Such events can also introduce visitors to Kashmir’s culture and everyday life, he added.
““Usually, people come to Dal Lake to enjoy the shikaras and scenery. This time, the lake has become a cinema hall. It is a unique idea and something families and young people can enjoy together,” Yousuf added.
