Dehradun to host second Crime literature Festival from November 29 to Dec 1

The second edition of the Crime Literature Festival of India is set to begin in Dehradun from November 29 to December 1. The event will feature a keynote speech by filmmaker Prakash Jha, who is known for his socially and politically charged films. Alok Lal, former DGP of Uttarakhand and director of the festival, said this year’s edition will focus on crime literature, cinema, and social issues, bringing together a distinguished lineup of experts.

Lal, an established writer of crime fiction, has co-authored books with his son, Manas Lal, including ‘On the Trail of Thugs and Thieves’, a collection of crime stories published last year.

The three-day festival will host Anubhav Sinha, acclaimed for his films Article 15, Thappad, and the popular mini-series IC-814. Sinha will explore how crime and justice are portrayed through cinema.

TV actress Kavita Kaushik, famous for her role in the TV serial FIR, will also participate in the event, according to Lal. Ashok Kumar, another former DGP of Uttarakhand and chairman of the festival, emphasised the importance of awareness in preventing crime.

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“This platform not only delves into the complexities of justice but also highlights stories that drive social change,” he said.

Leading crime writer S Hussain Zaidi will explore the darker side of the underworld, sharing insights from his bestsellers Black Friday and Dongri to Dubai.

Meeran Borwankar, a former Maharashtra DGP and author of Madam Commissioner, will offer her insights into law enforcement, while K. Vijay Kumar, former IPS officer and leader of the operation that captured Veerappan, will recount the gripping details of the mission.

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Navneet Sekera, the real-life inspiration behind the Bhaukaal web series, will share the challenges of policing.

The festival will honour Surendra Mohan Pathak, the legendary writer of Hindi crime literature. Pathak, known for his pioneering works starting in the 1960s with translations of James Bond and James Hadley Chase, will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. His extensive body of work, with more than 300 novels, has had a profound impact on crime literature.