Sight and Sound
Pabitra Kumar Deka

The year’s first movie Ajan Faquir Saheb got released yesterday

Last year, Manju Bora's 'Joymati' got released at the theatres on November 30. After five months, the year's first movie 'Ajan Faquir Saheb' has arrived in three theatres on April 25. The movie set in Asom some four hundred years ago, takes a look at the social conditions and the peace and tranquility that existed amongst the Hindu and the Muslim communities. Made by a emerging director Asif Iqbal Hussain, the film carries forth the message of brotherhood, peace, harmony and ideals of those times. The film took much of it's inspiration and inputs from works by litterateur doyen Sayed Abdul Malik. Much help also came from the film's advisers Imran Shah, Tafazzul Ali, Idris Ali, Dr Irshad Ali, Siraz Ahmed, Keremuddin Ahmed, M Hafiz Ali, Rebakanta Mahanta, Haidar Ali, Moinuddin Ahmed and Bijaya Dutta. The research works on the subject were done by Prabin Lahkar, Naba Mishra and Asif Iqbal Hussain. Screenplay and dialogues were written by Prabhat Goswami. A symbol of religious harmony, Ajan Faquir made every effort to preach the ideas and ideals of the Bhakti doctrines to the common people. For composing and popularizing Zikirs as well as Jaris, he took much of his inspiration from the Vaisnavite lyrics and Bhakti doctrines. It is also interesting to note that the Zikirs have been able to build a bridge in ensuring the harmonious relationship between Islam and Hinduism. The film is an incisive insight into the life and times of this great saint, whose ideals have not only survived but thrived. There are several melodious songs in the film.
The film is produced by Tihu's Bani Kalita under the banner of 'Samannoy Films'. The executive producer is Prabin Lahkar. Cinematography by Paresh Barua. Music direction by Dwijen Konwar. The Zikir songs are composed by Hafeeza Begum Choudhury. She is assisted by Tulika Lahkar. The chief assistant director is Rajeev Hari Kaushik. Editing by Rupam Kalita. Location audiography by Tauhidur Rehman (Nazu). Sound recording by Deepak Dutta and Bijoy Nath. Make-up by Mukul Das. Costumes by Rani Dutta Barua. Art direction by Nurruddin Ahmed.
The film's title role is played by Bishnu Khargharia. The other roles are played by Arun Nath, Maloya Goswami, Prithviraj Rava, Jayanta Bhagawati, Khagen Deka, Kartik Hazarika, Pulin Nath, Akashdeep, Ruprekha Devi, Pragati Devi, Juri Devi, Chandana Sharma, Nayanmani Das, Balendra Mohan Chakravorty, M Hafeez Ali, Papori Bora, Hirakjyoti Das, Reeta Barua Das, Nekibur Zaman, Deepa Goswami, Rajeev Kro, Shiddartha Mukherjee, Deva Goswami, Manmath Barua, Bijit Deva Choudhury, Kamal Singh, Bhupali Choudhury, Bani Kalita, Girish Talukdar, Prabhat Goswami, Bhranti Medhi, Manuranjan Das, child artistes Gitartha Kashyap, etc.
Prastuti plays a police officer in Bhagyadevi
Now theatre 'Bhagyadevi' is giving final touches to its preparations for the 41st year and the rehearsals will begin from July. As informed by producer Subodh Mazumdar, the party will give much emphasis to a play written and directed by Abhijit Bhattacharjya. The play's name is 'Girip Garap Koina Ahise'. The main role will be played by popular actress of cinema and stage Prastuti Parashar. The play will show different traits in the woman protagonist - the limitless capacity for forgiveness and affection, the courage to stand up against injustice and the limitless capacity to bear hardship. At the same time, the play showcases her tough and disciplinarian side. There are plenty of humourous elements too in the play. All the other plays will be backed by good performances, good music, good themes.
This time, the party's leading man will be Nayan Saikia, star of a number of video films, television serials and the romantic hero of the under-production feature film 'Dhunia Tirutabur'. Other artistes in the party are Arun Bora, Bhaskar Barman, Sanjeev Sharma, Mrinal Dev Goswami, Pankaj Pujari and Archana Pujari.
Four stages together! : Bishwarupa Theatre
creates history
Full-fledged preparations are going on for the newly formed 'Bishwarupa Theatre', which plans to perform plays in four stages simultaneously, which will be for the first time ever in mobile theatre history. According to producer Banti Goswami, preparations for the 2008-09 session are close to being completed. The party based in Haripur of Pathchala endeavours to provide good clean plays for an entire family to enjoy and appreciate with. They will try to bring some innovation and uniqueness to the plays. The plays selected for the dramatic session are Bhaskar Seal's 'Kun Tumi Monalisa', Dr. Satish Goswami's 'Sadhonar Sagar' and Deepak Tamuli's 'Badnami Suwalir Mon'. Another play by a well known dramatist is also on the offing.
The artistes in the party are Babul Khatoniar, Piyush Raja, Deepika Rani Boro, Mamta Mazumdar, Dhiru Goswami, Dharmeshwar Talukdar, Ratul Sharma, Dhiresh Talukdar, Manika Das, Nibedita Saikia Barua, Sabita Hazarika, Mukunda Saikia, Ganesh Medhi, Pradip Dutta Goswami, Dhan Keot, Nitul Mahanta, Deepak Goswami and Kamal Das.
Rupraj Theatre
A newly formed Guwahati based theatre party 'Rupraj Theatre' based in the region of Jalukbari is making ample plans with four different plays with different subjects for the dramatic session of 2008-09. Patronized by Adil Shah and produced by Deepa Kalita, the mobile theatre party will present plays 'Pakistanor Rani' dramatized by Samarendra Barman, Amal Kumar's 'Moi Dhulia Toi Nasoni', Rishiraj Kashyap's 'Purnimat Omawaishya' and a dramatization of the Bollywood hit 'Raja Babu' by Amal Kumar. The artistes signed on to perform are Bidyut Kashyap, Saiful Islam, Jyotiprasad Nath, Ujjal Chakravorty, Rajeev Doloi, Jyoti Nath, Biplab, Bulu Pator, Ashima Kalita, Marami Das, Bandana Kalita, Madhusmita Goswami, Miss Shabnam, etc. Lights by Biraj Das, Music by Aditya Kalita, Choreography by Pankaj Kumar, sound by Jun Das. Planning and controller Bipul Choudhury, representative Mukul Borkakoty and editor Binoy Sharma. The rehearsals will be held in Mirza located near Guwahati from the first week of July. For further information, one can contact the party at it's Jalukbari office at number 99547-08454.