Prantik Deka
new movie on floor
The current new wave of Assamese movies reveal the desire of filmmakers, especially the young generation, to deal with the most pressing topics of concern and problems facing their own generation. They feel the need to keep up with the latest fads by riding the crest of each new wave that offer an array of subjects, and showcase innovations in both style and storytelling. Prior to their releases in local theatres, some of these movies have even been able to earn critical recognition nationwide, and even overseas.
The widespread protests and turmoil in the State against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has deeply affected the majority of the population, very much concerned with the protection of Assamese culture and languages that are at risk. It has also involved several personalities from the music, arts and film fraternity, who have been very vocal and taken part in various protests.
The members of Jaishnavi Productions – a movie unit, have also been actively involved in the protest meetings held throughout the State. Recently, an auspicious mohurut ceremony was held at the premises of Jyoti Chitraban Studio, where a new Assamese film titled 'Temper' was launched. The shooting on the production has since commenced in the various locations of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Produced by Jaishnavi Productions in association with ATC Creations', the story concerns the lives of the tea garden workers and their families, and its being directed by D Bipin.
The film's assistant directors are Sankar Pandey, Rahul Tantabai and Monika Proja. The screenplay and dialogue are written by D Bipin, Pradeep Bhabesh ATC, Mahendra Gaur and Bishnu Singh Bhumiz, with guidance from Jitendra Sahu. The movie is being cinematographed by Tanha Farmin Rezi, Anupam Bordoloi, Jiten Boro and Diyan Ahmed. The film will be edited by Anupam Bordoloi. The action scenes are being directed by Pradeep Bhabesh ATC. The makeup is being done by Kamal Talukdar, Daniel Marak and Pijumoni Sarma. The film's various artistes are Binod Mahli (Jharkhand), Roma Ekka (West Bengal), Mahendra Gaur (Rajasthan), Abhi Razdan, Kajal Borah, Chiranjib Dutta, Bishnu Singh Bhumiz, Sunit Sanju, Zakir Hussain, Priyanka Praja, Jyotilina Bora, among others. The guest artistes are Padmarag Goswami, Vivek Nayak (Jharkhand) and Anamika Barman of the MTV Roadies X4 fame. The music is being scored by Nibir, Bishnu Kalita and DJ Risshi from Mumbai. Lyrics are written by Amiyo Sasoni, Akanta Deep, Nibir and Sankar Pandey. The songs are rendered by Vivek Nayak, Suresh Toppo, Kanchan Bala, Nibir, Amrit Tanti, Deepjyoti Mahli, Jayanti Nayak Deep, among others.
assam actor plays action-double of saif ali khan
Assam actor Montu Deuri has brought good news to the State. Montu Deuri recently completed his assignment of being the action stunt-double for Saif Ali Khan in the Bollywood movie – Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, starring Ajay Devgn.
In his three years of film career, Montu has performed in various Assamese as well as Hindi movies. Some of his major stunt works are in two Assamese movies – Suspended Inspector Boro and Local Kung fu 2.
Montu has worked in Hindi movies like Saaho, Mardaani 2, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota and recently got opportunity to work as Saif Ali Khan's action body double in Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior.
"I am very happy to get this opportunity. It is like an achievement for me, but I will be happier when I will get a bigger role in a Bollywood movie," Montu said.
Speaking about the state of the Assamese film industry, Deuri said that much needs to be done for its development.
"We don't have cinema halls in many places of Assam. If more cinema halls can be built, the Assamese film industry will also develop accordingly," Deuri added. Montu Deuri is a Black Belt First Dan in taekwondo and is a resident of Nam Deuri village in Jorhat.
north east india festival to promote tourism culture in thailand
Scholarly discussions, music and dance performances, and exhibitions of local handicrafts will felicitate tourism and cultural exchange between the North East India and Thailand at the upcoming North East India Festival 2020.
The 2nd edition of the festival will also aim to promote business ties between the two countries through B2B (business to business) meets starting from February 21 in Bangkok.
"A team of around 500 people is travelling from North East to Thailand for the 2nd North East India Festival. After successful first edition, we are very enthusiastic for the festival which, for the first time, is trying to promote North East India's trade, tourism and culture in Thailand in a methodical way," Shyamkanu Mahanta, Chief Organizer, North East India Festival, said.
He added that the event is an extension of the Indian government's Act East policy.
The inaugural session will be attended by Thailand's deputy prime minister Jurin Laksanawisit, along with Pema Khandu, Nongthombam Biren Singh, Biplab Kumar Deb, and Conrad Sangma, chief ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, and Meghalaya respectively, and several other state ministers and industrialists.
Over the course of three days, the event will witness interactions among scholars, historians, students, and academicians as part of a "People to People Exchange programme" (P2P).
More than 50 students will be travelling from the North East Region to attend the P2P meet and also visit various universities of Thailand. The People to People Exchange Programme will be chaired by Suchitra Durai, Indian Ambassador to Thailand, the organisers said.
The meet will explore conversations among scholars of Tai Ahom, Tai Phake, Tai Singphoh communities of the North East, who have a strong Thai historic connect.
The festival will also have exhibitions from Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Arunachal, Tripura, Nagaland showcasing tourism and trade potential of the various states.
It will showcase the organic fruits and vegetables from the North East along with a presentation of cane and bamboo products, tea and textiles exhibition.
A B2B meet will also be organised where prominent buyers of Thailand will interact with the governments of the North Eastern states, and traders with special focus on cane and bamboo, agro-horti products, tea among others.
Various folk dances of North East including mask dance of Arunachal Pradesh, Bihu dance of Assam, 'raas-leela' from Manipur, 'cheraw' dance of Mizoram, Naga warrior dance will be presented along with the 'khon' dance of Thailand.
Famous Indian singers and bands, including Papon, Naga band 'Trance Effect', 'David Angu and The Tribe' from Arunachal Pradesh, 'Soulmate' from Meghalaya and some of the most popular Thai rock bands such as 'Slot Machine' will also perform at the festival.
arunachal film screened at mumbai fest
A documentary film on the Memba tribe by filmmakers from Arunachal was recently screened during the 16th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival, which concluded recently.
A short documentary film – 'The Membas of Arunachal Pradesh', directed by Apak Gadi and Sanju Dodum, was among the 10 films screened in the festival's 'Films From North-East India' section. The 22-minute film, documenting the life and culture of the Memba tribe, has been produced by the State IPR department.
Assembly Speaker-cum-Mechuka MLA PD Sona, a Memba himself, lauded the film and its aim after a special screening. "Its nicely researched and more such documentaries on lesser-known tribes should be made," he said.
"Such in-depth researched documentaries on various tribes would help us understand many things about our culture and tradition," he said.
Advocating for more such excellent work, he said that it will be very helpful, especially for the younger generation to learn about their culture.
Gadi, after the screening said, "Getting a chance to tell the stories of our own people to the rest of the world in a platform like MIFF gives me an immense satisfaction."
His co-director, Dodum, said that such platforms help filmmakers grow in their craft. "Sometimes even when you disagree with the treatment, vision, message or aesthetics of any film/filmmaker, you still get to learn a lot about the art of filmmaking that shapes you as a filmmaker," he said.
"Such events are a great place for people to see and learn from others work and find unknown gems from the world of independent cinema/documentary filmmaking," Dodum added.
The MIFF is the oldest and largest film festival for non-feature films in South Asia, which began in 1990, and is organised by the Films Division of Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
Their documentary – 40 years through lenses, was also screened in 2018.