Bishnu Khargoria and Ronik in Konikar Ramdhenu

The present generation of serious filmmakers in Assam seems to be idle as far as creative pursuits are concerned. Only Jahnu Barua’s film — Konikar Ramdhenu — is ready for commercial release.

Barua is held in high esteem in the national arena and each of the eight films he has made, till date, has won him national and international accolades. He has been consistently pursuing filmmaking since his maiden directorial venture, Aparoopa, in 1981.

The present dismal scenario is surprising, considering the promising start the new generation of serious filmmakers made in the early Nineties. Within six years, these young filmmakers from the state won the Indira Gandhi National Award for their maiden ventures: Gautam Bora for Wosobipo in 1990, Sanjeev Hazarika for Haladhar in 1992 and Bidyut Chakravarty for Raag Biraag in 1998.

Of the three, Gautam Bora has, till date, not been able to garner the necessary finance for his next film. Sanjeev Hazarika made two films after Haladhar — Meemankha (1995) and Matsyagandha (2000). Bidyut Chakravarty also made two films after his debut venture — Nishiddha Nodi (1999) and Gun Gnn Gaane Gaane (2002). Of these four films, the two films made by Sanjeev Hazarika have not yet been released in cinema halls. Bidyut Chakravarty’s Nishiddha Nodi, a state government corporation product, did not observe the formalities necessary for the commercial release of any film — like ensuring the availability of a chain of theatres, publicity and the like. His second film, of course, belongs to a different (popular) genre, which has earned a lot of praise. But, as of now, both Bidyut and Sanjeev are silent.

The equally-talented Santwana Bordoloi, who made a sound start with Adajya in 1996, is yet to launch her new venture. Three other young talented filmmakers — Hemanta Das, Ranjit Das and Prabin Hazarika (all national award winners for their documentary films) — have not been able prove their mettle in feature films either.

At present, the future of serious cinema in Assam appears bleak. Padum Barua had initiated a new trend of serious cinema in 1976. Bhabendranath Saikia, since his debut with Sandhyaraag in 1997, did commendable work during his 25 years of filmmaking. But now people who love serious films have no other option but to remain happy with the solitary Jahnu Barua’s Konikar Ramdhenu, scheduled for release on December 6.

Rong Sarmah