As the cameraman adjusts his position behind the tripod, extras check the light and sound and the man anxiously seated on the director’s chair commands “action”, the hero, dressed in a body-hugging T-shirt and jeans, questions his beloved: Toy more sang pyar koris la? The lady, comfortable in her leather jacket on a sultry afternoon, answers with conviction: Ho, tor khatir mor apan jano devi parola, and the scene breaks into a song…

A multitude of villagers flock to Jitu village near Ormanjhi, a popular shooting venue for the Nagpuri film industry that is growing remarkably in terms of size and fan-frenzy. With Jharkhand producing seven to eight regional films every month, the cinema loving populace of the state has started taking interest in such movies.

Tej Mundu, a local music director, has several Nagpuri albums to his credit, as that was the trend earlier. “Many local directors in the state willing to make films in Nagpuri had restrained to music albums because of lack of interest among the masses. But now things are changing. Films like Guia No.1 have caught the audiences’ attention,” says Mundu.

One would guess that movies in the regional language would comprise a tribal cast, but that is not the case. Suman Mundu, a local director, says few tribal boys and girls prefer to work in films and that is not because they lack talent. “Many want to work, but are introverts. Thus, non-tribals score over them,” says Mundu.

For an industry that is still in its nascent stage, actors are mostly amateurs. Anil Tigga, who is on the verge of completing his fourth film —Jharkhand Ka Chaila — says, “Before working on a plot we generally advertise in local dailies inviting young artistes. At most times we are approached by passionate youngsters who are even ready to finance the project if taken in the lead role.”

And for these actors, language is no barrier. The crew helps them to pick up dialogues and the actors hide the flaws with their performance. Auditions are held for certain roles, but in case of big projects involving established actors, characters are written with the cast in mind, says Tigga. He proudly reveals in his latest film he has graduates from the renowned National School of Drama.

Nagpuri films are greatly influenced by Bollywood and are shot in ethnic locations. One may often see romantic songs picturised near the Jonah and Hundru falls or a climax scene shot near the Betla forest. Viewers also identify with local landmarks like parks and shopping malls on screen.

It is often said that films reflect one’s culture and well-made films raise some valid points, but it seems the government has not done enough for the promotion of these films. Tigga has a three-point demand from the government.

First, he feels there should be sufficient number of halls for screening regional films. Second, ticket prices should be reduced by lowering taxes, keeping the rural audience in mind. And finally, the government should make it a rule that at least one regional film be played in the city halls, so that the industry gets a solid platform.

Artistes believe that their films have the potential to make it to international film festivals. Deepak Lohar, a leading artiste, says, “Even within the country, our films are as good as films of other regional films.”

If given the right platform, one could be hopeful about Nagpuri films representing the country in some international fest in the years to come.