Kameng: The Gateway to Arunachal

A War of Narratives

As China wages psychological and diplomatic campaigns to claim Arunachal Pradesh—targeting tribal communities with cultural manipulation—the Indian Army recognized the need for a counter-narrative grounded in civilizational truth.

Kameng was envisioned as a cinematic assertion of Bharat’s historical, spiritual, and cultural presence in the region—an emotional bulwark against Chinese propaganda.

The Mission

Commissioned by the Army’s top command and entrusted to Prachyam, the objective was to create a 30-minute documentary that would authentically portray the Kameng region as a vibrant, deeply Indian land. I led the project creatively—from scripting and research to interviews and execution—working directly with commanding officers stationed in the region.

This was narrative warfare—and our job was to hold the cultural ground.

The Journey

Over a month-long production, our team traveled through remote tribal villages, monasteries, and Himalayan passes—documenting untold stories of resilience, tradition, and pride. Interviews ranged from National Museum scholars in Delhi to Buddhist monks and tribal elders in Kameng.

Abhishek, my long-time collaborator and childhood friend, led the production and aerial photography unit. His team captured awe-inspiring drone visuals of unexplored valleys, transforming the landscape into a cinematic canvas rarely seen by Indian audiences.

A Voice for the Land and Its People

The heart of Kameng lies in its grassroots authenticity. The film elevates the everyday lives of local communities—their cuisine, clothing, rituals, music, and oral histories—showing them not as peripheral to India, but as core to its civilizational continuity.

It also subtly dismantles Chinese narratives by projecting a confident, lived Indian identity at the border.

Legacy and Deployment

Kameng now plays on loop at the Indian Army’s official Kameng Museum—created to orient and inspire every visitor entering Arunachal’s border zone. Endorsed by senior Army officials, the film is shown to civilians, dignitaries, and cadets as a foundational visual primer for understanding Arunachal’s place in India.

Few projects have blended geopolitics, community engagement, and cinematic beauty with such purpose. Kameng remains one of the most meaningful and fulfilling journeys of my career.