Srinagar, Sep 9: The Floating Cinema on the iconic Dal Lake has opened a new chapter in Jammu & Kashmir’s rich cinematic journey, bringing films closer to audiences in a setting that beautifully combines Kashmir’s natural landscape with its deep association with the silver screen.

Speaking about the initiative, Joint Director Information Kashmir Shahnawaz Bhukhari described the Floating Cinema as an important step towards reviving the region’s cinematic legacy and creating a distinctive platform for celebrating cinema in Jammu & Kashmir.
The initiative is part of the ongoing 1st International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) and has transformed the tranquil waters of Dal Lake into a unique open-air theatre. With a large screen set against the lake, mountains and Srinagar’s evening lights, the screenings offer audiences an experience that goes beyond conventional cinema halls.
The Floating Cinema has emerged as one of the major attractions of the festival, drawing film enthusiasts, tourists, families and local residents to the lakefront. It also reflects the festival’s broader effort to take cinema into public and culturally significant spaces across Srinagar.
The initiative carries particular significance for Kashmir, which has been closely associated with Indian cinema for decades. The Valley’s landscapes have provided memorable backdrops for numerous films, while its lakes, gardens and mountains have remained deeply embedded in the visual imagination of Hindi cinema.
By bringing films back to one of Kashmir’s most recognisable landscapes, the Floating Cinema seeks to reconnect the region with that legacy while introducing a new generation of audiences to the magic of cinema.
The screenings also combine nostalgia with the contemporary spirit of IFFJK. Classic films being shown on the waters of Dal Lake allow audiences to revisit celebrated cinematic moments while experiencing them in a setting that is uniquely Kashmiri.
Beyond entertainment, the initiative represents an effort to position Jammu & Kashmir as a destination for cinema, creativity and cultural experiences. It highlights the region not only as a picturesque location for filmmaking but also as a place where audiences, artists, filmmakers and cultural traditions can come together.
Bhukhari’s remarks underline the cultural significance of the initiative, particularly at a time when IFFJK is seeking to create a stronger cinematic ecosystem in the region. The festival is providing a platform for local filmmakers and artists while also bringing national and international cinematic voices to Jammu & Kashmir.
The Floating Cinema therefore becomes more than an attraction of the film festival. It symbolises the convergence of Kashmir’s landscape, cultural heritage and enduring love for cinema, offering audiences a memorable experience while reinforcing the Valley’s connection with the world of films.
As the screen illuminates the waters of Dal Lake, cinema once again becomes part of Kashmir’s landscape—this time not merely as a backdrop, but as a living cultural experience.