Despite new film announcements, the condition of the Assamese film industry is not getting any better. The chief reason being the rapidly declining quality of movies that are being churned out every now and then. Most of the movies are poorly made and have elicited bad reactions. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth because of the waste of resources – the amount of time, energy and money spent only to be left with a pile of crap. They compel audiences to completely dissociate themselves from such movies. Filmmakers hardly give any emphasis to two of the most vital components of cinema - story and script. Most of the movies are filled with incoherent and inconsistent story and scripts which couldn’t induce life. Films once prided themselves on keeping the viewer well-oriented. No longer is the case now. The direction and treatment leaves a lot to be desired. It has been for it's most part sloppy, amateurish. As it is, most filmmakers lack basic grammer and study which a discerning viewer could easily make out. Movies suffer from lack of meticulous planning. As we have also observed, precision is sorely lacking in terms of camerawork and editing in most Assamese films. There has to be a meaning, a purpose behind every movement and composition. The film industry desperately needs movies with innovative subjects. The writing, treatment, acting and meaning behind a film should elicit deep feeling. One must understand the pulse of the audience. Only then will it be able to achieve a perfect harmony of story and viewer involvement. Hope audiences could re-live those early cherished cinema-going memories sooner than later.

Children’s Video Album

Akanpuror akoni

Akanpuror Akoni is a cut above the rest from most other children's video albums. Ever since it's release, it has gathered very good response from viewers. This wonderfully made musical album should be watched by every other kid. It features a number of adorable kids and adorable songs. 'Akanpuror Akoni's direction, choreography and concept are by Gourab Hazarika. Lyrics and tunes are provided by Atikur Rahman (Raaj). The singers are Shabab, Afrina, Santanu, Niribili, Farhaz and Arshad. The combined acting by all the child artistes is as laudable as their singing. The various child artistes appearing in the songs are Puja, Duitimoyee, Sampriti, Roselin, Mayur Jyoti, Rohit, Arshad, Farhat, Bipasha, Priyanka Bora, Priyanka Das, Murchana, Karishma, Partha, Chiranjeev, Aditya, Sumeet, Anamika, Sambardhana, Dipankika, Linashree, Himashree, Rituraj, etc. The album is produced by Mehmooba Sultana. Musical arrangement by Abhishek Dhar and Dhrubajit Kashyap. 'Akanpuror Akoni' was recorded by Bedashish Sarma (Biki) at Sangeet Audio Lab (Nagaon). Videography by Krishna Pal. Make-up, costume and editing by Sutradhar.

Appeal for help

Prabin Lahkar, lyricist, composer, cultural activist, producer of the well-known film 'Ajan Faquir Saheb' and an ex-office bearer of AASU, is seriously ill and presently undergoing treatment at the Guwahati Medical College Hospital. Unfortunately, both his kidneys have failed and expensive treatment is required with dialysis. His friends and well-wishers have appealed to the people to help Lahkar financially.

Dr Bhupendra Kaman’s Hindi film

Majuli

The mohurut of Dr. Bhupendra Kaman's Hindi film 'Majuli' was held last year on August28 at 'Murong Ghar', a meeting place of the Mising community, situated at Japorigog, Guwahati. This Hindi film presented by B Kaman Films & Studio completed it's first schedule recently. The film's shooting took place in Mayong's Kalang and Brahmaputra's Majuli locations. 'Majuli's second and final schedule is currently in progress since June 21.
'Majuli's story, script are written by Dr. Bhupendra Kaman. The concept of previous birth is an important ingrediant of this film that spins a unique love story with an unusual twist. The film shows people's immense suffering and pain as a result of devastating flood in the previous birth. It shows the joys and struggles, the pain and helplessness of a peasant family from Majuli comprising of Tarun and Pakhila and their two children. While saving his wife from the clutches of their Mising saviour Gamok from Arunachal, Tarun had no option other than killing him. But before long, both husband and wife were killed by a mob of enraging villagers. Twenty years on. Tarun and Pakhila were reborn as Surya and Taru. In the present life, Surya is a Guwahati-based officer with the department of tourism. His friend's name is Reema. Taru who hails from Majuli is a good friend of Reema. Both study in a college in Shillong. Sometime later, Taru is introduced to Surya. Tourism officer Surya embarks on a journey to Majuli with a group of tourists from Nepal and Maharashtra. Taru too accompanies them. The journey moves ahead via Kaziranga to Majuli. On their way, they visit the graveyard of Saint Ajan Faquir Saheb at Sivasagar. Reema is extremely pleased to see her friend Taru at Majuli. The next day, the tourist party sets out on a boat trip into the heart of mighty Brahmaputra to enjoy the picturesque beauty of Majuli. Taru is also present on the boat. While clicking pictures, Surya accidently drowns in the river which has a strong current underneath. Taru immediately leaps into action and saves him in time. In the immediate aftermath, Surya retains memories of his past life. He tells everything about his past life to Taru but she doesn't remember anything. After a lot of effort, she retains her memories from her previous birth. Memories that are at once traumatic and painful. Taru takes Surya and Reema on a tour to the places from previous birth. Surya is finally reunited with his past life wife who has reincarnated as Taru.
The roles of Tarun (Surya), Pakhila (Taru) and Reema were played by Bhupendra Kaman, Tarulata and newcomer Jyotika Bhuyan. Jyotika Bhuyan, who hails from Nagaon district's Kothiatoli, belongs to the famous family of Kusumbar Bhuyan. In other words, she comes from the lineage of great Saint Shrimanto Sankardeva. Jyotika Bhuyan acted in a mobile theatre troupe last year. She is also a proficient Bihu dancer. Director Dr. Kaman is quite impressed with her performance in the Hindi film 'Majuli'. The various other artistes of 'Majuli' are Anup Hazarika, Pakija Begum, Purnima Saikia, Kabeer, Sitaram Dole, Puspa Misong, Amal Barua, Firoze Pegu, Ashwini Dole, Bhaskar Barua, Abiram Payeng, etc. The film is cinematographed by Sibanon Barua, Benu Neog and Pradip Sengupta. The film's assistant directors are Ritutpal Bordoloi, Firoze Pegu and Jiten Chutia. Make-up by Nirumai, Bhumika and Bhaskar. Choreography by Sameer Buragohain. There is also a Mising Bihu depicted in the movie. 'Majuli' will be released during the time of Durga Puja.

Gulshan Grover in Hindi film

18.11 - A code of secrecy

Bollywood's bad man Gulshan Grover is currently busy shooting in the North East for Assamese politician-turned-filmmaker Mohibul Haque’s upcoming Hindi film 18.11 - A Code of Secrecy.
''This is my first visit to the region. I have heard about the beauty of the place from my friends and other directors and was always keen to visit. I am really bowled by the beauty of the place and its people," the 56-year-old actor said. '18.11 - - A Code of Secrecy' is Haque's second directorial venture after his debut in 2003 with an Assamese feature film 'Juman Suman'. "After making 'Juman Suman', I have decided that I will make my next film in Hindi and this is the first film in the language where both the hero - Rehal Khan and the heroine Suhana Irani are from Assam," Haque said.
Besides Grover, the suspense thriller also features Prem Chopra, Raj Babbar, Asrani, Mukesh Tiwari, Emtiaz Khan and Shahbaz Khan. Haque, who also wrote the script of the film, said the film is a melange of action, romance and suspense. He also wanted to highlight the North East as an attractive tourist destination through his film. "I hope this film opens new vistas for the State and the region as far as our beautiful locations are concerned. My film would highlight the scenic beauties of Assam and Meghalaya," he added.