What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
GANGTOK: Snow-capped mountains, familiar faces, lush green valleys, meandering rivers or the quaint old-world charm of an ever-growing Gangtok city! Sikkim’s resplendent charm has often been ignored by cinema but there are few exceptions where the mystic Shangri-La takes a character of its own.
1) Jewel Thief (1967) – Arguably one of the most intriguing spy thrillers of director Chetan Anand, the film gives Sikkim its first big ticket entry to commercial cinema. This Dev Anand- Vyjayanthimala starer hit is replete with moments that capture the vintage charm of the erstwhile Himalayan kingdom.
2) And Once Again (2010) – Actor-Director Amol Palekar weaves an intimate tale of a loss featuring Rajat Kapur and Antara Mali (in a role of a Buddhist nun). The mystery of the story and the mystic beauty of Sikkim run parallel to each other in this movie.
3) Katha (2012) – Independent films have shown Sikkim like never before. In director Prashant Rasaily’s Katha, the cold yet mysterious voids of the Himalayan state create a riveting tale of love with supernatural elements.
4) Ralang Road (2017) – Viewers have probably never seen Sikkim this way. It is cold, edgy and it all happens in a day! Director Karma Takapa explores a normal day in Sikkim with an ingenious touch.
5) Dhokbu (2017) – Folk myths coupled with haunting frames of Sikkim that will make you think long after the movie is over! In this movie, filmmaker Dawa Lepcha retells a myth with an ingenious touch.
Special mention: Pahuna (2017) & Yaariyan (2014)
The growth of OTT platforms has been a boon for the tiny Himalayan state. The Last Hour (2021), a series on Amazon Prime shot primarily in Sikkim received rave reviews. Sikkim’s unique tales and unexplored beauty is creating its own niche in the world of cinema.
It may be underrated now but the love affair with movies will continue to grow as more film makers notice the unexplored soft power of a unique Himalayan paradise.
