Guwahati, July 24: A Hindi version of the film on the youngest martyr of India's freedom struggle, Assam's Kanaklata Barua, is set to release across 1,500 screens in the country on August 5 - also the movie's Assamese premiere.

Kanaklata was born in Sonitpur district's Barangabari village on December 22, 1924.

She was shot dead by police when she had gone to hoist the national flag at Gohpur police station during the Quit India movement. Historian Sheila Bora has found that Barua, just 17 years old when she was killed, was the youngest martyr of the nation's freedom struggle.

Her story is now being retold in director Chandra Mudoi's new film, Epaah Phulil Epaah Xoril. The Hindi version of the movie, titled Purab Ki Awaz, is alsobeing released to reach a wider audience.

The film's production house, LPKG Film Production, has joined hands with Pen-N-Camera International to release the Hindi version in over 1500 screens across the country.

The Mumbai-based distributor has already launched a massive publicity drive in Mumbai, Delhi, Calcutta and other cities.

"We couldn't think of any woman who became a martyr at such a young age in the country. My intention is not just to honour a brave soul but also to draw the attention of audiences across the country and abroad with the film," said Mudoi, who already has 10 films in his kitty.

"It's our privilege to salute and celebrate Kanaklata's spirit on celluloid. It's a film that needs to be seen by everyone," he said.

While his research, the director found that Kanaklata was a rebel since her childhood. She was not afraid to raise her voice against any unjust act.

The moment she was stirred by patriotism and nationalistic pride, she plunged deep into the freedom movement, becoming a vocal advocacy of freedom.

Mudoi said he got to know about several unknown facts about Kanaklata when he spoke to Thuleshwar Rajkhowa in Gohpur. Rajkhowa was one of the several young, unarmed freedom fighters who were with Kanaklata on the day she died. He was also hit by bullet that day and is the last surviving freedom fighter who was part of that fateful march in 1942.

Mudoi said he incorporated several of Rajkhowa's stories about Kanaklata's childhood in the film.

While Rodali Bora plays little Kanaklata, FTII alumnus Urmila Mahanta, who has made a name for herself in Bollywood and the south Indian film industry, is her older self in the film.

Veteran actor Nipon Goswami has played the role of Rajkhowa.

Recently, President Pranab Mukherjee expressed his willingness to watch the film following a request by Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora, who hails from Kanaklata's home district.

The film evoked generous praise and appreciation after a special show was held at the Films Division auditorium in New Delhi earlier in January.#