Senior Haryana IAS officer Dr Sumita Misra as chief guest and Lt Gen KJS Dhillon (Retd.) & Dr Manmohan Singh, IPS (Retd.) as special guests’ launch novel
Enthusiasts of literature and art gathered at Mini Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, this evening to witness the formal launch of ‘Lost and Found in Kashmir’, 19-year-old author, actor and filmmaker Nikasha Luthra’s latest novel. The book was released by chief guest Dr Sumita Misra, IAS, Financial Commissioner, Revenue, Haryana, and special guests’ Lt Gen KJS Dhillon (Retd), widely known as Tiny Dhillon, and Dr Manmohan Singh, IPS (Retd), Chairman of Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi.
The book was unveiled in a unique style at an event hosted by The Narrators Performing Arts Society (India). The book launch showcased a unique amalgamation of literature, theatre and cinema. In addition to the book release, guests were shown a specially produced short film inspired by selected portions of the novel. What’s more, character artists who played important roles in the film, staged a few scenes from the cinematic production.
During the programme, Nikasha spoke about the creative journey behind the 270-page work. She shared that the novel emerged from her reflections on the emotional and human consequences of the Pahalgam terror attack.
“The tragedy in Pahalgam left a deep impression on me. Beyond the headlines, I kept thinking about the personal stories, the interrupted dreams and the silent grief that follows such incidents. This novel is an attempt to explore those emotions through fiction while remaining rooted in human experience,” she said.
Set amid the breath-taking yet complex landscape of Kashmir, the novel centres on the lives of Heer and Kabir as they grapple with loss, trauma, love and healing. Through layered characters and evocative storytelling, the narrative examines how individuals rebuild themselves after life-altering events.
Explaining why Kashmir became the setting for the story, Nikasha said the region’s contrasts offered a powerful canvas for storytelling. “Kashmir represents both extraordinary beauty and profound sorrow. Its landscapes inspire wonder, while its history carries echoes of pain and resilience. That duality became essential to the story I wanted to tell,” she remarked.
Nikasha is already an accomplished young creative talent. Prior to this release, she authored the poetry collection Dark Tulips and the anthology of short plays Flowers in Her Room. She has also written and directed the films Ankahe Khwaab and Sehar Ki Talaash Mein.
Speaking about her aspirations for the novel, she said she hopes readers connect with its emotional core. “If the story encourages even a small measure of empathy and understanding, I will feel it has achieved its purpose. More than anything, I hope people remember Kashmir for its humanity, culture and spirit rather than only through the lens of conflict,” she added.
The launch drew an enthusiastic audience comprising writers, artists, students, educators and literature lovers, making the evening a vibrant celebration of creativity, storytelling and thoughtful dialogue.