By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
Dehradun, Sept 1: Two artists associated with the Department of Theatre at Doon University were honored at the Young Uttarakhand Cine Awards (YUCA) 2026 for their notable contributions to the field of art and cinema in Uttarakhand.
Sunil Singh, a second-year M.A. Theatre student and actor-theatre artist, received the Best Actor Award for his lead role in the film Raibar. Dr. Kailash Kandwal, faculty member of the Department of Theatre and a senior theatre artist, received the Best Villain Award for his performance in the Garhwali film Ghaprol.
Sunil Singh, a native of Naughar village in Tehri Garhwal, has been associated with acting since childhood. After completing his Class 12 education from Government Inter College, Lamgaon, he pursued his undergraduate studies in Dehradun. His passion for acting took him to Mumbai, where he underwent training through various acting workshops. He subsequently remained actively involved in theatre and street plays. Sunil has acted in the Hindi web series Guns & Gulaabs, several documentaries, and Garhwali films. He also worked as a casting director, line producer, and assistant on the film Dholi.
At YUCA 2026, Sunil Singh won the Best Actor Award for Raibar. The film also won seven awards out of eight nominations. The film’s team was presented with a cash prize of ₹1 lakh. Sunil’s upcoming films include Chandra and Dholi.
Dr. Kandwal has been associated with theatre and cinema for the past 34 years and currently serves as a faculty member in the Department of Theatre at Doon University. He has acted in several films, including Paan Singh Tomar, Yara, Rotu Ka Raaj, Pinti Ka Sabun, Anjwal, Dunali, and Wapsi. He has also appeared in television shows such as Savdhaan India and CID, as well as in the web series Guns & Gulaabs.
In the field of theatre, Dr. Kandwal has directed and acted in numerous plays. His translated and adapted play Refund has been staged more than 50 times. He has conducted more than 15 children’s theatre workshops and has also written five children’s plays. At the 14th Young Uttarakhand Cine Awards, he received the Best Villain Acting Award for his performance in the Garhwali film Ghaprol.
Expressing her happiness over the achievements of both artists, Doon University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Surekha Dangwal congratulated Sunil Singh and Dr. Kailash Kandwal and wished them success in their future endeavors. She said that such achievements by the university’s students and faculty not only enhance the institution’s reputation but also give greater recognition to Uttarakhand’s art, culture, and cinema.
Prof. H.C. Purohit, Director of IQAC (Internal Quality Assurance Cell), also congratulated both artists and wished them a bright future. He said that the active participation of students and faculty in theatre and cinema encourages creative and cultural activities at the university.
On the occasion, Registrar Mr. Durgesh Dimri, Prof. R.P. Mamgain, Prof. Harsh Dobhal, Prof. Rajesh Kumar, Prof. Chetna Pokhriyal, Dr. Rajesh Bhatt, Dr. Ajit Panwar, and other faculty members and employees of the university also congratulated Sunil Singh and Dr. Kailash Kandwal on their achievements and extended their best wishes.
The achievements of Sunil Singh and Dr. Kailash Kandwal are being regarded as significant for Uttarakhand’s theatre and regional cinema. Both artists continue to work toward providing a wider platform to Uttarakhand’s folk languages, culture, and local stories through theatre and cinema.