Jorhat, March 28: Karma ke Rati — a feature film on the tea tribes of Assam — is packed with action, romance, a social message and a Maoist threat.

Directed and scripted by Jayanta Nath, a well-known singer and filmmaker in Jorhat, the 130-minute film, in Sadri — the language of the tea community — has a powerful message for the government to uplift the community through education before it is too late.

Nath said the film showcases that the lack of education among the tea community was the reason for their under development despite so many government schemes.

“It is a story of an ideal schoolteacher who leads a few youths and through education inspires them to fight against corrupt politicians by joining the administration and police force. However, one frustrated youth leaves the fold and joins the Maoists. The story is interwoven with the culture of the tea tribes, love and lots of action,” Nath said.

Action director Master Astaman and six stuntsmen travelled from Kathmandu in Nepal for the action sequences.

Actors Lobin Das, Trishna Kurmi and Pratima Ganju from the tea community and Bishnu Khargaria, Aimee Baruah, Rajkumar, Rimpy Das and Prince from mainstream Assamese cinema feature in the film.

“There are also different aspects of the culture of the tea community like jhumur, the rituals associated with marriage ceremonies and Tusu Karam Puja in the film”, Nath said.

While he has composed the four songs in the film, the lyrics have been penned by Prasad Roy. Uday Shankar is the choreographer. Dulal Manki, Jaya Irani and Indrani Devi and Nath have lent their voices.

Produced by Dhruba Phukan, the cinematographer of the film is Suman Duarah while Niranjan Gogoi is the editor.

Nath, who worked as assistant director in 18 Assamese films and directed Hriday Kopuwa Gaan in 2002, said he had taken the help of the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha, the apex body of tea workers of the state, in the making of the film.

“The film has relevance in present times with reports of Maoists trying to make inroads into Assam. Unless the government steps up its activities vis-à-vis education and development in these areas, there is no knowing which way the wind will blow,” he said.

In its last stage of production, the film is scheduled to release during Bohag Bihu.