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New Delhi: Book launches often follow a familiar format, but 19-year-old author, actor and filmmaker Nikasha Luthra decided to do things differently. The launch of her latest novel, Lost and Found in Kashmir, turned into an immersive cultural evening where literature, theatre and cinema came together, offering guests a memorable storytelling experience.

Held at Mini Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, Chandigarh, the event attracted writers, artists, educators, students and literature enthusiasts. Chief guest Dr Sumita Misra, IAS, Financial Commissioner, Revenue, Haryana, officially released the book, while Lt Gen KJS Dhillon (Retd.), popularly known as Tiny Dhillon, and Dr Manmohan Singh, IPS (Retd.), Chairman of Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi, attended as special guests.

Organised by The Narrators Performing Arts Society (India), the event was much more than a traditional book launch. Along with unveiling the novel, the audience watched a specially produced short film based on selected portions of Lost and Found in Kashmir. Actors from the film also recreated key scenes on stage, giving guests a glimpse into the emotions and characters that shape the story.

The creative presentation reflected the novel’s themes while blending different art forms into one engaging experience. The unique format received an enthusiastic response from the audience.

Speaking at the event, Nikasha shared that the novel was inspired by her reflections on the emotional and human impact of the Pahalgam terror attack. She explained that beyond the headlines, she wanted to explore the untold stories of grief, resilience and hope through fiction.

Set against the breathtaking yet complex backdrop of Kashmir, the novel follows Heer and Kabir as they navigate loss, trauma, love and healing. Through their journey, the story explores how people rebuild their lives after life-changing events while holding on to hope.

Nikasha said Kashmir’s striking contrast between extraordinary beauty and a history of resilience made it the ideal setting for her novel. She hopes readers will connect with its emotional core and remember the region for its people, culture and spirit rather than only through conflict.

Despite being just 19 years old, Nikasha has already established herself as a promising creative voice. She is the author of the poetry collection Dark Tulips and the anthology Flowers in Her Room, besides writing and directing the films Ankahe Khwaab and Sehar Ki Talaash Mein.

The evening concluded with warm applause from the audience, celebrating not only the launch of a new book but also the power of storytelling to encourage empathy, meaningful conversations and a deeper understanding of Kashmir.