At a time when the Assamese film industry is going through a bad phase, the problem being compounded with the closure of a number of cinema halls across the State, it’s heartening to see a handful of culture-loving people coming forward to indulge in celluloid ventures in a not-so-conducive atmosphere. Instead of making films keeping in mind the national film awards and the film festival circuit, they have churned out some entertaining films which can be enjoyed by all the members in a family, and at the same time, contributing their bit to revive a ‘sick’ industry. However, their endeavour seems a mere drop of water in the sea of problems, with the market of Assamese films shrinking because of the closure of cinema halls that has even discouraged a number of established producers from filmmaking.

The husband-wife duo of Pranjal Kumar Bharali and Chabee Bharali is among those handful of Assamese film producers who are doing their bit, irrespective of the dismal phase the industry has been going through for quite some time now. The duo, under the banner of Gargi Entertainment Company Pvt Ltd, made their foray into Assamese film production in 2004 with their maiden film titled Maa Tumi Ananya, directed by Munna Ahmed. It was based on the novel Ananya – written by Pranjal Bharali’s mother, Amiya Bharali. And that was a sort of tribute to his mother in whose name the film producer has also erected ‘Amiya Bharali Bhawan’ at Geetanagar, Guwahati, which he has donated to the Asam Sahitya Sabha. Maa Tumi Ananya followed with Antaheen Jatra, also directed by Munna Ahmed.

Then the producer duo shifted gear to make two out and out commercial films — Suren Choror Putek and Joneda Imman Goonda — which were directed by hit filmmaker Chandra Mudoi. The titles of these films, with all the ingredients of entertainment, initially created a furore in the cultural circle of Assam, but once the films were released, the cinegoers came to realize how apt those names were.

When Joneda Imman Goonda was being made, it was quite risky to invest in the Assamese film industry, with the number of cinegoers plummeting to an all-time low. The public preferred to watch video films — of which only a few had class and quality — at home, even if it meant buying pirated compact discs at cheap rates. But this entertaining film managed to attract Assamese movie lovers to theatres wherever it was released, bringing a faint ray of hope for the ailing industry. However, that was not enough.

Like Joneda Imman Goonda, Gargi Entertainment’s other three films also did good business, with Suren Choror Putek making a wave of sorts. Pranjal Kumar Bharali thanks Assamese cinegoers for the success of their film ventures, but rues the fact that they are yet to get back a major chunk of the money they had invested to produce the films. As is the norm, the Assam government should return to every Assamese film producer the amount collected as amusement tax from the box office during a film’s run in the first year. But, Pranjal Kumar Bharali’s film banner is yet to receive that amount from the State exchequer. The amount is substantial. For the four films under the banner of Gargi Entertainment, the producer duo’s dues stand at around Rs 45 lakh.

They have petitioned the State government for an early release of the said amount, but without any response in this regard till date. This has even sent them into depression in a way as such an attitude of the government would only sound the death-knell for the ailing Assamese film industry. The amount collected as amusement tax is rightly due to the Assamese film producers for their hard toil and unless they receive this amount in time, they cannot go ahead in their future projects to keep the Assamese film industry going. It’s time the government cleared all the outstanding dues to the Assamese film producers, so that they can take up new ventures with renewed vigour.

Pranjal Kumar Bharali, too, hopes to make another film when he receives the dues, with a view to contributing his mite to the cause of Assamese cinema. He, however, opines that to revive the ailing industry, some initiatives from the concerned authorities should also be forthcoming, the first and foremost being the opening of the ‘closed’ cinema halls across the State. If need be, such cinema halls should be renovated and fitted with the latest equipment, and adequate measures should be taken to ensure regular running of Assamese films in these theatres.

Kamal Kr Bhagawati