Assamese film on witch-hunting

BY Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, May 29: A full-length Assamese feature film on the burning issue of witch hunting is being made in Assam.

The film ‘Aei Maatite’, Angeekar Films’ maiden venture, is being directed by eminent theatre persolity Dr Sitath Lahkar.

The film is an adaptation of his famous stage play Tamasaa. The story, screenplay and direction of the film will be by Dr Lahkar, a retired Principal of Cotton College. This will be his first feature film.

 ‘Aei Maatite’ will have a very strong message against witchcraft, upholding the value of scientific temperament and human life, the film-makers said at a press conference here today. Dr Lahkar said, “Witch hunting, born out of superstition and all round backwardness of people which gets aggravated by a small powerful section of society with the help of sorcerers, stands out to be enemy of humanity, stigma of civilisation and hence a big challenge for us. Hundreds of people in Assam have lost their lives in the me of witch hunting, and so is the reason for choosing this issue as the subject of my first feature film.”

The film will mainly talk about the witch hunting problem in Assam and how a section of people are using witchcraft for their own interest.

The film will also cinematically showcase some of the inhuman killings in the me of witch hunting and appeal the people to uphold humanity on the basis of reason and scientific explations.

The shooting of the film will start from June and is expected to be released by the year-end.

Crusader against witch hunting mece Birubala Rabha will be seen in the film. A few crucial characters of the film will be ected by Tezpur University Pro-VC and well-known lyricist-poet Dr Amarjyoti Choudhury, Thengal-Kachari Autonomous Council CEM Kumud Kachari, ABSU leader Pramod Boro, SFI leader Nirankush th and former Inspector General of Police S P Kar.