The Assamese cinema industry is currently passing through a very bad phase, with near nil activities in the film front. In such a scenario, when somebody comes up with a project or a new film is released, the cultural circle is agog with hope and lively discussion. And the happiest are the people associated with the cinema industry, as also the Assamese cinegoers, who are able to see a film after a long break.

Timothy Das Hanse’s Jiban Bator Logori, which is releasing today (October 2), across the State, has brought a ray of hope to the ailing Assamese cinema industry. According to the director, the film is being released in major theatres of Guwahati, along with several other cinema halls in other parts of the State. This is for the first time that an Assamese film is being released simultaneously at a number of cinema halls in different parts of the State.

Hanse, who himself had covered the State’s length and breadth for his film’s promotion, however, has not had a smooth sailing. He had to swallow harsh words of some theatre owners who were not interested in screening Assamese films, saying they (the films) meant only loss for them. Though it is mandatory for every cinema theatre to screen Assamese films for 100 days in a year, the majority of the theatre owners do not pay heed to this Government norm. The result is that Assamese film producers, having pumped in lakhs of rupees in the making of a film, lose interest in undertaking another venture after such an attitude from the theatre owners.

However, Hanse is steadfast in his mission. Notwithstanding the bitter experiences, he said he would take special initiative from his side to run Jiban Bator Logori in theatres for at least two weeks. At a time when the Assamese cinema industry is passing through a bad phase, Hanse’s declaration has come as a whiff of fresh air, inspiring the Assamese film fraternity.

Produced by Phukan Konwar, Purnananda Gogoi and Beauty Barua, under the banner of Hills Motion Picture Association, Jiban Bator Logori has story, screenplay and dialogue by Hanse himself. Born in Karbi Anglong, Hanse has established himself as a lyricist and musician, besides being a film story writer. It was Timothy Das Hanse who wrote the story for hit Assamese film Pahari Kanya, directed by Munin Barua. Hanse later tried his hand at film direction too, making two successful features — Ronga Modar and Prem Pahare Bhoiame. His last venture – Prem Pahare Bhoiame, revolved round a love story showcasing the age-old bond of unity among the hill and plain peoples.

Jiban Bator Logori, too, has a sweet love story that also explores the Assamese social system and its inherent problems. Replete with love, romance, tragedy and comedy, and the ups and downs of life, the film is a complete family drama that has a fair dose of song and dance sequences. “Audiences, comprising people from all sections of society, will find something to relate to in my film,” says Hanse, who has not left any stone unturned to use the ingredients of entertainment in this film.

A band of veteran and new artistes are in the cast of the film. They include Nipon Goswami, Bishnu Khargharia, Malaya Goswami, Arun Nath, Beauty Barua, Hiranya Deka, Atul Pachani, Kapil Bora, Parinita, Raag Oinitam, Biki, Shyamantika Sarma, Asha Bordoloi, Debananda Saikia, Kishore Choudhury, Dilip Goswami, Roop Goswami, Julen Bhuyan and Dudul Baishya. Dinesh Das and Ananya Pachani are guest artistes. The film has music by Arup Dutta, Biman Barua and Timothy Das Hanse, while Sibanan Barua is in charge of cinematography. Debankur Borgohain has edited the film that has art direction by Niranjan Kalita and costumes by Rani Dutta Barua. Bhaskarjyoti Dutta, Bhumika Talukdar and Tibrajyoti Boiragi have done the make-up. Lohit Dutta is the chief assistant director.

Earlier, it was during the festive season of Rongali Bihu in April or the autumnal puja festivities in October that Assamese films were usually released in cinema halls. The release of Jiban Bator Logori soon after the Durga Puja, in such a bleak scenario for Assamese movies, will surely be able to draw cinegoers – who were otherwise longing for a good Assamese film to hit the cinemas – to the theatres, besides inspiring the producers and directors of Assamese movies to undertake new projects that will rejuvenate the Assamese film industry. Let’s hope for the best.

Kamal Kumar Bhagawati