When an Assamese movie makes waves in the box office, a certain ‘Hindi lobby’ passes sleepless nights. This lobby wants only Hindi movies to be screened in the cinema halls of Assam and is always engaged in moves to bar Assamese films from running, even if they have been received well by the audience. The Assamese film fraternity is well aware of the ‘dirty politics’ played by those who favour Bollywood films only. For such an attitude of film distributors and theatre hall owners of not giving Assamese films much importance, thus putting the local cinema industry in the doldrums, filmmakers, artistes and technicians alike came out to the streets some one and a half decades back, to raise a voice of protest. A number of sociocultural organisations, as well as student bodies, too, had expressed solidarity with the film fraternity in its cause.

This writer, too, got actively involved in that movement and things are looking up after the success of Timothy Das Hanse’s film Jibon Bator Logori – released all over the State recently, ending a drought of Assamese films; Now the ‘Hindi lobby’ is again creating problems and, one feels that the Assamese film fraternity will have to once again take the path of agitation. If Assamese films are regularly shown in the cinema theatres and people of Assam get a chance to enjoy these, then only can the Assamese film industry move forward in a strong manner. At such a testing time, with the Assamese film industry under ‘unfriendly circumstances’, the attempts of some culture-loving persons coming forward to make films is indeed praiseworthy.

After the huge success of Jibon Bator Logori that was released in a record number of 25 theatres across the State in a first in the history of Assamese cinema, despite facing many a hurdle in the process, this certain ‘Hindi lobby’ is active once again. Anticipating such a move prior to the release of his film, Timothy Das Hanse boldly announced that he would make sure that Jibon Bator Logori runs for at least two weeks in theatres. His declaration was undoubtedly aimed at bringing back an atmosphere of Assamese film viewing in the State for the good of the local film industry. And so prophetic was his announcement that his film completed the third consecutive week in several theatres, creating excitement among the cinegoers. What’s more, Jibon Bator Logori was even screened in a theatre of Shillong in our neighbouring State Meghalaya to good audience response.

After such a long time, an Assamese film drawing all sections of cinegoers to cinema theatres is undoubtedly good news for the local film industry and it will surely encourage other filmmakers to undertake new projects. A personal survey conducted by this writer found that the film has been able to create enthusiasm among the young generation of cinegoers. The success of the film has also brought smiles on the faces of the so-called ‘blackers’, who once used to frequent the cinema halls of the State, earning a livelihood for themselves by selling cinema tickets of hit movies to the audience in the ‘black market’. The closure of several cinema halls was a huge blow to them, but it is a fact that they are the happiest lot at the success of Jibon Bator Logori that has given a new lease of life to the ailing Assamese film industry.

It has been an often-heard allegation that cinegoers do not come to cinema halls to watch Assamese films. But on many occasions the producers and directors of Assamese films do not see to it what the audience usually wants in a film. Several Assamese filmmakers are least bothered to fulfil the expections of the cinegoers, who come to cinema halls spending their hard-earned money just to enjoy a film. Jibon Bator Logori has looked into these crucial matters with a story which the audience can identify with and it has only added to its success. Moreover, the portrayal of Assamese village life and the rich cultural heritage in the film, as also the advocacy of utilising the youth power for positive purposes are the factors appealing to the cinegoers.

However, a conspiracy by the ‘Hindi lobby’ to stop the screening of Jibon Bator Logori in theatres at a time when the film has been drawing good crowds has come as a stunning blow to the local film industry. In this regard, the film’s director Timothy Das Hanse has also met Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who has reportedly instructed the concerned authorities to look into the matter. In such a scenario, the nationalistic organisations too have a role to play. It’s time these organisations woke up to the realities and helped the Assamese film industry in its rebuilding process. The All Assam Students Union, which offers felicitation to national and other award winning personalities of Assamese cinema every year during the Bohag Bihu at Judge’s Field, Guwahati, too, should raise its voice against this injustice done to the local film industry. Only a concerted effort from all concerned will be able to weed out such an unhealthy trend threatening the very existence of the Assamese film industry.

Kamal Kumar Bhagawati