| Altaf Mazid’s new film Boliya Pitair Sohoki Sotal (A Duet with the River God) is the title of critic-turned-filmmaker Altaf Mazid’s new film. His first feature length work, the film is about the people of 126 villages in the southern side of the river Pagladia, along the Indo-Bhutan international border of Assam. Most villagers are ethnic Bodos, who believe the river to be a living god called Pagla Baba. Round the year, the people remain engaged in pushing the river down south, contrary to its main course of west to east. They depend on the river water for drinking, household purposes, irrigation, etc. The sheer physical strength of man and his patience in the face of the force called Nature dominates most of the visuals of the film. It’s about the simplicity of village life, about life without water, and life that revolves around water every moment. The film was shot for 13 months from December 2006 to December 2007, covering four seasons of the river. From the accumulated video footage of 105 hours, Boliya Pitair... took 18 months to cut down the final film to 125 minutes. The language is Assamese and Bodo. The film is going to have its first public screening in the North East Film Festival (January 2-4, 2009) at Shilpagram. |
| Sewali in Bhagyadevi Sewali is a familiar face in  Assamese TV serials, films, videos and stage. Lately, she has been signed to act in the 42nd session of Bhagyadevi Theatre, a pioneer mobile theatre troupe. Sewali began her acting during her school days and gathered experience through the mobile troupe Sahajatri. She made a name for herself with her performances in the play Alakananda Apartment, popular TV serial Mrigaya, and films like Chenai Mor Dhulia, Hiyar Daponot Tomar Chabi, etc. She is a model too. |
| Video films’ muhurat The muhurat of two video films – Pabhojora and Rongmona, directed by Mukut Patangia, was recently held in the premises of Link Communication in Guwahati. Patangia has written the stories of the two comedy films. A number of veteran and new artistes will be seen in the films, made under the banner of MP production, Tezpur. The muhurat was attended, among others, by Arunlochan Das, Ankur Dutta, Upakul Bordoloi and Alok Nath. |
| Dhunia Tirotabore Dhunia Tirotabore, a full-length  feature film, is the Arclight’s new year offering to film lovers, and releasing at Vandana Cinema on January 9 next. Pradyut Kumar Deka (son of film journalist Pabitra Kumar Deka) has directed the film, with his own story and screenplay, as his maiden venture. The story depicts the conflicts of two actresses, representing two generations, as observed by a writer-journalist. Trisha Saikia and Barasharani Bishaya play the roles of the two actresses, while the central character is portrayed by Bidyut Chakravarty. Other important roles are played by Nayan Prasad, Barnali Pujari, Ankur Bishaya and Jayanta Das. Jatin Bora and Sanjib Hazarika are specially appearing in two important roles. Indra Bania and Kamal Sarma (Rana) are the guest artistes. Tulu Boro handles the camera, while Angarag Mahanta (Papon) scores the music. Pabitra Kumar Deka is the adviser for screenplay. Jayanta Kumar Goswami is the co-producer. Abedat Chowdhury of Kuber Films is the distributor, while the media partners are Big 92.7 FM and Vodafone. |
| Book on films Bishwa Chalachitra, a book written by film critic and writer Pabitra Kumar Deka, has been published by the Assam State Publication Board for the ongoing book fair. The book covers 89 prominent films of 24 countries, along with their stories, and notes on directors. It also has colour photographs of some acclaimed fims. The first of its kind in Assamese, the book is worth reading as well as preserving. |
| Shivam Sargam Shivam Sargam, an album of songs, is  going to be released on January 5 on the occasion of the first death anniversary of filmmaker late Shiva Prasad Thakur. The album contains eight songs written and tuned by upcoming Nitima Sarma, with music direction by renowned musician Prabhat Sarma. One song is penned by Amala Kataky. The singers are Samar Hazarika, Malabika Bora, Tarali Sarma, Shyamal Saikia, Nitima Sarma and Dawor Hazarika (son of Samar Hazarika). |
Apurba Kumar Das