Been there, done it all: Abdul Mazid (seated) and Nipon Goswami (left) at a studio

Sept. 27: They took the road that mattered to them and 50 years down the lane, have had no cause to regret their choice.

For veteran actors Nipon Goswami and Abdul Mazid, it’s time to celebrate five decades of enthralling audiences with their flawless acting.

The journey has been even more worthwhile in the light of the crisis that has crippled the Assamese film industry.

The entire industry, including fans, friends and colleagues, will come together to celebrate the occasion at the premier show of Dibane Sohari Muk, a film starring both the actors, at Jyoti Chitraban Film and Television Institute in Kahilipara tomorrow.

Assam minister for culture Gautam Bora will be present at the ceremony to honour the actors.

“We have decided to honour the actors at the premier show for a 50-year-old successful stint in the industry. As in their previous films, both the actors have again given a touching performance,” said the producer of the film, Pradip Das.

Directed by Sanjay Sarkar, the film’s cast comprises leading stars like Ravi Sarma, Nishita Goswami and Bidya Rao.

An alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, Nipon Goswami began his career as a child actor in the film Piyoli Phukan, directed by theatre and film doyen Phani Sharma in 1957.

He was first seen in a lead role in Sangram, which made him an instant hit with the audience.

Moreover, he also holds the record of featuring in 84 Assamese films, the highest number till date.

Mazid, who is also a noted film director, started his journey with a negative role in Nip Baruah’s award-winning film Ronga Police in 1958.

The film bagged the President’s award as best Assamese film.

“It’s been a long and memorable journey. I have enjoyed every bit of the way. I have been loved, respected and even pampered by the audience. I am thankful to the entire film industry and fans for their love and support,” said Goswami.

Echoing Goswami, Mazid said it seems only yesterday that he embarked on his acting career.

Time has flown, he added. “I have always loved acting and would like to continue doing so till my health permits me. I have always tried to go deep inside the skin of any character I enacted. Acting gives me a great high, an experience I love to cherish again and again,” said the septuagenarian actor.

But the deplorable state of the Assamese film industry, which is doing poor business at the box office, has upset Mazid. “Hope the crisis ends soon,” he said.

“Those one or two films which are produced hardly make any impact at the box office. Theatre halls are being forced to shut down. Where is the prospect of making and selling films?” asked film critic Utpal Dutta.

According to a first of its kind study by the Assam Institute of Management, Guwahati, on the Feasibility and Revival of Film Exhibition Business in the State, the film industry is in the doldrums.

The report, which was made public last year, touched all the 140 halls officially registered in the state. Only 50 per cent of them are now functioning.

The survey report has predicted that if the present condition prevails, all the theatre halls of the state will have to close down.

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