by admin | Aug 6, 2024 | Screenings
Upcoming filmmakers are attempting to widen the horizon of the content and concept of Assamese film with non-traditional form and content. PIKSHASH, a unique Assamese film, which released last Friday, stands out for its suspense and mystery genre.
Writer-director Amit Rag shares his intense journey with the characters. ‘The emotional journey and pain of Maya, Chaya, Mohit and Danuj were very excruciating indeed. I felt suffocated and stressed. My main aim in this film was to explore the psyche of each of them, and I tried to delve as deeply as possible into the minds of the characters. This challenge was not only during writing the film but also during the shooting, editing and post works. It was tiring and tough for me. But, overall, the experience was quite eye-opening.’
One of the Lead actors, Achinta, says, ‘The character I played in Pikhash is a dream role for any actor. It has the potential and scope to experiment and explore human psychology and behaviour. I am grateful to the director, Amitav Borah (da) and the producers for taking me on board with the project. To be honest. It was not at all easy. The profound scenes required a lot of energy, but what encouraged me was the enthusiasm of our young and energetic team. I am lucky to be a part of this fantastic team. Rest is up to the audience.’
Indrani Gogoi says, ‘I suffered a lot of mental pain while living the life of Chaya. The character I play taught me to be sensitive. If I had suffered so much mentally while playing that character, we wouldn’t even think how many such children are suffering around us.’
Lead actress Jeanette says, ‘Getting cast for such a character, with lots of work, was itself a privilege and equally a significant challenge in the first place. On top of that, it was my debut too. My debut experience with a character that has all the five flavours of sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami was overall a colourful experience of pleasure, pain, labour & victory. It felt good hearing the applauses at the end of long, intense sequences. And some of the scenes came out great in the very first take. I consider this a significant phase of my career.’
Word of mouth has so far helped the film in attracting a good audience.
by admin | Jul 31, 2024 | Screenings
In an unexpected turn of events, the Assamese film “Bidurbhai” has become the talk of the regional film industry, grossing an impressive 3.5 crore rupees in less than two weeks since its release on July 19. Trade analysts are now projecting the film could cross the 10-crore mark, a significant achievement for a regional production.
The success of “Bidurbhai” marks a triumphant return for director SUV, whose previous urban blockbuster “Sri Raghupati” had set high expectations. However, “Bidurbhai” represents a dramatic shift in both setting and style. Unlike its glitzy predecessor, this film is rooted in rural Assam, featuring a cast of relatively unknown actors and a storyline that celebrates the simplicity of village life.
Himangshu Prasad Das, a veteran of the Assamese film industry known for his multiple roles as a writer, director, and actor, shared his insights on the film’s success. “The gripping narrative flow, coupled with authentic performances and top-notch technical work, has clearly struck a chord with audiences,” Das remarked. He particularly praised SUV’s deft handling of the cinematic narrative, noting the director’s growth since his last venture.
However, the film hasn’t been without its share of controversy. Gender activist Rituparna has raised concerns about certain dialogues in the film, which she perceives as making light of issues related to the third gender community.
Adding to the buzz surrounding “Bidurbhai,” industry insiders hint at a potential collaboration between SUV and popular actor Ravi Sarma. Sources suggest that SUV may be in talks to direct a big-budget film featuring Sarma in the lead role, though no official announcement has been made.
The unexpected success of “Bidurbhai” is seen as a potential game-changer in the regional film circuit. It demonstrates that when told effectively, rural-centric stories can compete with and potentially outperform urban-centric blockbusters. This shift could herald a new trend in regional cinema, with more filmmakers potentially exploring stories from India’s heartland.
As “Bidurbhai” continues its successful run in theatres, all eyes are on the SUV’s next move. Will he return to the glitz and glamour of urban storytelling, or will he further explore the untapped potential of rural narratives? Only time will tell, but one thing is sure: “Bidurbhai” has firmly established SUV as a director to watch in the evolving landscape of Indian regional cinema.
by admin | Jul 5, 2024 | Screenings
Assamese film Emon, Ashim Baishya’s latest directorial venture, produced by Vipul Kumar Das’ Emon Film Creations, released in 50 screen all over Assam, today.
Lyricist-music composer Ibsonlal Baruah, who contributed four songs says, “I had a beautiful experience working for this movie as the director and producers had given me complete liberty to work with the lyrics and music.
“Somimudi Jopiyam , a romantic song sung by the golden voice of Zubeen Garg has the musical notes that i will always love to be romantic with.
“Bagurumba, an interpretation of two different cultures merging into one, flowing through the stream of music has been beautifully sung by popular singer Neel Akash & a fresh voice Emon Kashyap.
“The song Mor Sohoror was described to me to be the entry song of the hero of the slums. I tried to keep it powerful as it was a dance track, where I blended Assamese ethnic instruments like Nagara & Bhortaal. Popular singer Dikshu Sarma has sung it very well as it was a total different melody & scale that it was composed on. Fresh voice Emon Kashyap has also done justice to the playback.
“Emon, the title song had my vocals only as the film was about to release, though I had some particular voice in my mind while composing. I’m very happy for all the songs of this movie as I have been getting nice feedbacks from the audiences & the songs are spreading to their audiences day by day.”
The screenplay was penned by Mridul Kumar Bora based on the director’s story. The principal actors of the films are Debjit Majumdar, Bedangshi Priyadarshini Saikia, Siddhartha Sharma, Munmi Phukan, Snigdha Gogoi, Deepjyoti Keot, Siddhant Kalita, Arnab Ayan, and Madhurima Choudhury.
by admin | Jun 28, 2024 | Screenings
A Hindi-language film, Kooki, which addresses social issues with a focus on legal practice, premiered today. The film marks a significant collaboration between Assamese and Bollywood talent.
Dr Jonmani Devi Khaund, a practising lawyer, conceived the film’s theme and penned its story. Pranab J Deka took on the roles of screenwriter and director. Dr. Khaund, who also produced the film, cast actors from Bollywood and Assam, bridging the gap between the film industries.
Industry insiders are watching Kooki closely, as its box office performance could influence future filmmaking trends in Assam. A successful run might encourage local filmmakers to explore broader themes and collaborations beyond regional boundaries.
The film’s release represents a bold step for Assamese cinema, venturing into Hindi-language production and tackling socio-legal themes. It remains to be seen how audiences will respond to this cross-regional effort and whether it will pave the way for future collaborations.
by admin | Jun 23, 2024 | Screenings
Today marks the digital premiere of the celebrated short film “KACHICHINITHU (The Boy with a Gun)” on YouTube, offering audiences worldwide a chance to witness this poignant narrative. Directed by the talented Khanjan Kishore Nath, the film has already made waves in the cinematic world, winning the prestigious Rajat Kamal for Best Short Fiction Film at the 68th National Film Awards in 2020.
“KACHICHINITHU” tells a gripping story, capturing the essence of childhood amidst the harsh realities of life. The film’s profound narrative and emotional depth have resonated with viewers and critics alike. Its journey through the film festival circuit has been nothing short of remarkable, having been showcased in approximately 30 international film festivals and garnering numerous accolades along the way.
This film is a testament to the collaborative spirit of its creators. Produced by the Ladakh-based production company Jobless Studio in partnership with Cinemalay, it stands as a beacon of regional storytelling on the global stage. Co-producers Rahul Reddy and Suraj Gunjal have been instrumental in bringing this story to life, contributing their expertise and vision to the project.
Director Khanjan Kishore Nath expressed his excitement about the film’s YouTube release, stating, “The journey of ‘KACHICHINITHU’ has been incredibly rewarding. It’s a story that’s close to my heart, and seeing it resonate with so many people around the world has been a humbling experience. We are thrilled to make it accessible to a wider audience through YouTube.”
The film’s success is a testament to the power of independent cinema and regional voices. Its accolades include recognition at various prestigious festivals. For those eager to delve into the world of “KACHICHINITHU,” the film is now available for streaming on YouTube. Viewers are invited to immerse themselves in its captivating story and share their thoughts and experiences.
by admin | Jun 21, 2024 | Screenings
Homeboys is an Assamese feature film presented by Arindam Entertainment. The theme of the film is drugs and their influence on present-day youth. The film’s lead actors are Arindam Sharma and Anurag Bitopan Gogoi. A few other actors are Rajib P Deori, Prakash Acharya, Arjun Lahon, Porosh Phukon, Sikha Sharma, Mukul Sharma, Pradip Bhagawati, Mukul Barman, Jeet Baruah, and Dr Satyen Deka
Bitopan feels proud to be associated with this film. Expressing his reaction, he says- ‘I am thrilled that I have been chosen to play one major character in this film. Earlier, I had acted in ‘Ahetuk’, and the character I played was a minor role. This is my first major role in film. I am grateful to the director. One thing I would love to mention here is that in this film, the director used many beautiful locations of Assam and Meghalaya, which is one of the major attractions of the film.’
Homeboys, a film that celebrates regional diversity, included actors from two bordering states, Kikumsangla Imchen from Nagaland and Pinky Marak from Meghalaya. Tonthoi, a leading Manpuri actress, was invited for two Assamese films, Utpal Borpujari’s ‘Ishu’ and Diganta Majumdar’s ‘Barsharanya’.
The film, a labor of love that took eight long years to complete, overcame significant setbacks including the Coronavirus pandemic. Producer-director Arindam Sharma’s dedication is evident in his multiple roles as the story and screenplay writer, Director of Photography, music director, editor, and colour gradation artist. The sound designer, Anirban Barthakur, also contributed to this cinematic masterpiece. Homeboys was released on 18 screens in Assam and has a runtime of 143.13 minutes. An important aspect of the film release is that it was released outside of Assam with English and Hindi subtitles. This will show a path of expanding the Assamese film market.
