Hoping against hope

War and art can’t go together, but sometimes it can. The present socio-political turmoil of Assam in the north-eastern part of India, perhaps never encourage the cultural activists to continue their endeavour. But defying all the troubles and hurdles, the filmmakers of Assam have made the point, that they are here to stay against all odds. After a satisfactory six months, the first year in the new millennium, poses to offer many promises for Assamese film world. The year 2000 is likely to witness the commercial release of at least 12 movies in a year, that may be recognised as a satisfactory outcome for the local film industry. After six movies released in the first half of the year at theatre halls in different parts of Assam, the audience of the state is now waiting for the commercial release of more than six other Assamese movies in the later part.
The first six months of the year have witnessed the release of Mrityuhin Jiban, directed by Manoranjan Sur, Nisiddha Nodi by Bidyut Chakrabarty, Hiya Diya Niya by Munin Barua, Ahankar by Pradip Hajarika, Tumi Moar Maatho Moar by Jubeen Garg and Pokhi directed by eminent filmmaker Jahnu Barua, among which Hiya Diya Niya, Tumi Moar Maatho Moar and Pokhi have made good business also.

Following the tradition of Assamese producers releasing movies during the pooja festival (in winter), presently at least three Assamese feature films have been waiting commercial release.

The directorial venture of an NSD graduate, Baharul Islam Achene Konoba Hiyat with Matsyagandha by Sanjiv Hajorika and Bhumiputra by Jayanta Das have already been completed alongwith all post production work and are awaiting censor’s certificate. As the theatre activist turned filmmaker, Baharul Islam informed, his debutant feature film Achene Konoba Hiyatt is ready for release on September 1. Produced by Kalyan Sarma under the banner of Rajib Cine Enterprise, the movie is based on a novel written by popular Assamese thriller writer Ranju Hazarika and has cinematography by national award winner Mrinal Kanti Das and Hari Rai and the music is composed by newcomer, Manoj Sarma, who is more popular as a visual artist. The cast includes senior artistes like Nipon Goswami, Biju Phukan, Malaya Goswami, Mridula Baruah with upcoming performers Prastuti Parashar, Barasarani Bisoya, Satyaki Bhuyan and Nayan Barua. Bollywood’s Ashish Vidyarthi, who was a classmate of Baharul, has played the role of a villain in the movie.

Similarly Matsyagandhya, produced by Hapimoni Bisoya under the banner of Binayak Films and directed by national award winner director, Sanjeev Hazarika is also awaiting release. Based on a well read Assamese novel by Sahitya Akademi award winner writer Homen Borgohain, the film has music by another national award winner Sher Choudhury and cinematography by Raju Mishra. The lyrics are by Khiroda Kanta Bishaya and Gautom Sarma. The cast includes Nikumoni Baruah, Trisha Saikia, Kunja Trishna, Nayan Prasad, Chetana Das, Indra Baniya, and Lakshmi Borthakur. Bhumiputra, directed by Jayanta Das which has cast including Nikumoni Baruah and Hiren Das is also awaiting commercial release before Durga pooja. Other movies, presently busy in post-production process and awaiting release within this year, include Jon Jwale Kapalat, directed by Munna Ahmed, Jugantarar Tezal Pua, directed by Jones Mahalia, and Bisphoran, directed by Kandarpa Saikia.

Jon Jwale Kapalat, which is produced under the banner of Ankur Films and directed by theatre activist Munna Ahmed is based on a story written by Sambhu Gupta. It has music and cinematography by Jayanta Das and Paresh Baruah respectively. The cast includes Nipon Goswami, Trisha Saikia, Barasarani and Pallabi. Directed by one of the popular film directors of Assam, Jones Mahalia and produced under the banne of Swapna Films, Jugantarar Tezal Pua is busy in post shooting schedule. The shooting for this commercial movie, which has romance, mystery and suspense, was done in various locations of Assam, Meghalaya and also in Nepal. The movie has music by Debajit Choudhury and its cast includes Nipon Goswami, Purnima Saikia, Upakul Bordoloi, Bikram Hazarika, Sagarika Goswami, Amulya Kakoti, Khirod Sarma and Mukul Das with newfaces like Gautom and Tina Barla.
Among the movies, which are in different process of production, may be mentioned Hit List, directed by Dinesh Gogoi, Priya O Priya, directed by Anjan Kalita, Satyam Sivam Sundarama, by Brajen Bora, I Love You, by Ashok Bishaya, Ei Morom Tomar Babe, by Taufique Rahman, Shes Upahar, by Gopal Borthakur and Darkness Visible by Arun Bharali.

Nava Thakuria