Kokrajhar, Sept. 11: Going by the huge crowds that are thronging the movie theatre screening the recently-released Bodo feature film Songolee (The Spy), it is set to usher in a turnaround in the fortunes of the nascent Bodo film industry as well as smash all records.
In less than a week since the film was released on September 5, its popularity has soared in the entire district. Busloads of people from remote villages are arriving in Kokrajhar town to watch the film. “Some groups are also coming to watch the movie in tractors,” said Babloo Sharma, owner-manager of the Ganga Talkies here where Songolee is being screened.
Even night shows are drawing a full house with the people of the terror-torn district throwing caution to the winds — thus signifying an improvement in the overall law and order situation. “It is for the first time since the Bodo movement began a decade ago that families are watching night shows,” said Sharma.
Such is the craze for the film that “upper class” tickets that are priced at Rs 18 are now being sold in black for anything between Rs 100 and Rs 150. Produced under the banner of Gaurang Films, Songolee is based on a story written by Nilkamal Brahma, co-author of the award-winning film Alaiyaron (The Dawn).
It tells the story of an antisocial and drug addict, Duggar Singh, who, in an act of revenge, kills his former girlfriend Nibasi after kidnapping and raping her. Nibasi had jilted him because she thought he lacked character. Singh also kills her police-inspector brother Bigral Daimary (Dwmwilu). After her unnatural death, Nibasi’s restless soul haunts the forest bungalow where she was killed and buried.
Expressing gratitude to the audience, Umesh Brahma, the hero of the film said, “Our hard work has paid off. The response to this film will now encourage Bodo filmmakers to make more movies.” Sharma is also hoping that this movie will help make up for the loss suffered over the last couple of years because of lack of cine-goers.
“Songolee has already created a record. But what I feel happier about is that the audience is growing by the day,” he said.
