After years of struggle, the state (Uttarakhand) cinema finally sawn at the end of tunnel when First Garhwali Feature Film “JAGWAL” (Wait) produced by Parashar Gaur released on May the 4th 1983 at Mavalankar Hall In Delhi. Jagwal is a brain child of Parashar Gaur who has spent a sizeable chunk of his life in promoting Garhwali culture.
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History of Uttarakhand Cinema
Even though it took a lot of struggle as he conceived the idea of making a film in 1975. It was not till 1982 that the project took off. During this period Mr. Gaur went through a hell of a time. He was being taunted by his colleagues and friends in sarcastic ways. He has been targeted and humiliated in day to day life. He has been cheated by his, the then so called promoters who were with him in the project.
One of the promoters ran away with the heroin. He was so shocked .He decided to abandon the banner as well as the promoters too and started a new banner under the name of "ANCHALIK FILMS." Facing problems and hardships he finally come out with flying colors and released the first Garhwali film. The film does not attempt to shock the viewers with the stark poverty of the hills. It does not raise any radical slogans. The main strength of the film lies in the way it captures the innocence of the hill people.
“Jagwal” is poignant tale of a young woman Indu. At her wedding the bridegroom’s youngest brother who is a dumb, is involved in a quarrel with priest. The bridegroom Biru intervenes. In the process the priest accidentally received fatal injuries. On the nuptial night the police arrest the bridegroom. He is tried and imprisoned for 10 years. Biru advises his wife not to wait for him, but to get married with his younger brother Sheru. But she chose to wait. After facing hardships she finally emerges triumphant and the ‘JAGWAL’ (wait) ends on a happy note when she meets her husband again.
Mr. Gaur’s long experience with the theatre helped him to bring together the best talents available on the Gahwali stage and obtain their full cooperation. Film was made in record time of 28 days and passed by Censor in just 24 hours, the film was was first screened in a non commercial hall at the Mavlankarn Hall in Delhi.
The film attracted a large number of people from and around the neighborhood of the capital with several travelling all the way from places as far as Sharanpur, Meerut and Modi Nagar. The response was tremendous. It appeared that the entire Garhwali population had descended on the theatre. The Tickets priced at Rs 5 were sold for 50 and a few even went for whopping 100.
After “Jagwal", there is a long series of films that have been released so far. Among them are Kabhi Sukh-Kabhi Dukh (producd by Bindesh Naudiyal), Ghar-Jawain,( produced by Nautiyal ) Kauthik (produced by Sheel choudhry) , Udnkar (Produced by Mrs Bisht), Pyaru Rumal (Dubbed from’ Kusmo Rumal ‘Nepali) Samlaon, Phulee, Madhulee, Bantwaroo, Jeetu Bagdwal, Chakarchaal, Chwati Bwari . In Kumaoni, Only a film has been released “Megha Aa” (Produced by Jivan Bisht).