Ratnakar – Breath of Fresh Air in Assamese Movie Industry

Being a resident Assamese in Gurgaon, it is the childhood movie experience I have been missing for a while. Those were the films made by the likes of Munin Barua, Ashok Kumar Bishaya etc. Be it Hiya Diya Niya, Bukur Majot Jole, Nayak, Daag…those films really changed the spectrum of Assamese movies during that era. Nayak was special to me always as it was shot in my grandmother’s home in Digboi and I too acted in a small scene… It was magic on screen to see those emotions, actions and dialogues delivered so well by the class actors like Jatin Bora, Ravi Sharma, Zerifa Wahid to name a few and veterans like Pranjal Saikia.

But then came a time where Assamese movies lost its charm and vigour suddenly. Like me, many Assamese youth moved out of the State in pursuit of career and education during the same time. We too did not pay much attention to why we did not hear our parents go to see Assamese cinema anymore. Then came the era of VCD movies. Many new talents got an opportunity to showcase their talent for sure and it was a welcome move. Yet the big 70mm screen missed its Assamese counterparts for a long time.

In the meantime, during my holidays back home, I aasked my parents if we can go to see an Assamese movie. The answer was always disappointing as none was there in halls, none watch worthy actually, if I may mention. I started missing my childhood experiences of seeing good movies. Time passed and few movies got financed and were remade. In recent times, I had seen few Assamese commercial movies in Delhi theatres. Though I enjoyed the feel of it, but the Assamese movie fan experience was incomplete. The movies were well shoot, music good, but when it came to main elements – acting, direction, screenplay, editing of shots, continuity of scenes, dialogues and its delivery, it all failed miserably. I still missed that magic of my childhood experience.

The sudden loss of Munin Barua, personally for me felt like a loss similar to that of Yash Chopra in Bollywood. I would always say that what Yash Chopra was to Hindi movie industry, is Munin Barua for Assamese movie industry. I believe in praising aloud, and maximum of my favorite movies were made by him.

Then came the wave of ‘Ratnakar’. I knew this would bring back the childhood movie magic I was chasing since the day I left Assam. And when I went to see the movie in DLF Promenade PVR in Vasant Kunj, Delhi on October13, I was not at all disappointed.

Thank you Jatin Bora Da for doing it! You nailed it.

What makes Ratnakar good? First, this movie had the best of all from the Assamese movie industry. Secondly, Jatin Bora who is immensely talented had taken upon the task of directing it as well. Music by none other than Zubeen Garg who never fails in creating magic with his voice that lingers in the halls’ surround sound system. The actors like Barsha Rani Bishaya, Nishita Goswami in lead, the child actor, and the supporting actors who are favorites of all Assamese people - Chetana Da, Hiranya Deka, BishnuKharghoria etc did a wonderful job in their roles.

Besides the astounding acting of all actors, what stood out were the new improved camera techniques, bird’s eye view drone shoots of the camera. The 180-degree cinematography technique to freeze the action scenes were seen for the first time in Assamese movies (as far as I know). The smooth direction and screenplay. There were no hiccups where scenes seemed joined abruptly. Smooth transition of the screenplay in between present and flash backs (this is the area most movies suffer).The selection of locations, costumes and make up and also set making, all seemed at par with Hindi movies. Even the actions and stunts were very convincing. Over all, a terrific experience where I was happy to invest more money in the tickets as I believe indirectly or so I would be helping in rebuilding the Assamese film industry somehow.

The small scopes of improvement if I may suggest, a little stronger storyline would have made it even more exciting. Although it balanced out well overall, but the story was predictable with a normal climax. The entry scene of Barsha Rani Bishaya could have been shot in a more dramatic style. It felt too plain to see the hyped heroine just walking out of the airport door without any wind blowing or slow motion. I missed that fairy tale entry in that particular scene for sure. The villains in the movies did not have a tough personality though they had big biceps.

But to end it all, I would say Thank You to Jatin Bora for this brave attempt to fill the void that was long created. It seems Assamese cinema may have found back its glory if such well made movies keep coming from now on. I personally thank you for letting me relive my childhood memory of watching good ‘Assamese Cinema’. My best wishes and hope to see more movies from your production banner.

(While I write this, many people in our local Noida and Gurgaon Assamese community Whatsapp groups are discussing for a special screening of the movie again as many people could not go to the halls.)

– Geetali Baruah

Gurgaon

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