Assamese cinema | |
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![]() Gold Digital Cinema in Golaghat; Gold Digital Cinema is one of the largest multiplex chain of Assam | |
No. of screens | Approx. 82 in the state of Assam [1] |
Main distributors | ASFFDC AM Television Dolphin Films Pvt. Ltd |
Produced feature films (2022) [2] | |
Total | 32 (Theatrical) |
Gross box office (2019) | |
Total | ₹10 crore (US$1.2 million) |
Assamese cinema (formerly Jollywood) is the Indian film industry of Assamese language. It is based in Assam, India. The industry was born in 1935 when Jyoti Prasad Agarwala released his movie Joymoti . Since then the Assamese cinema has developed a slow-paced, sensitive style. In the beginning the industry were called Jollywood, [3] [4] for Agarwala's Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio. [5]
Despite its long history and its artistic successes, for a state that has always taken its cinema seriously, Assamese cinema has never really managed to break through on the national scene despite its film industry making a mark in the National Awards over the years. Although the beginning of the 21st century has seen Bollywood-style Assamese movies hitting the screen, the industry has not been able to compete in the market, significantly overshadowed by the larger industries such as Bollywood. [6]
The origins of Assamese cinema can be traced back to Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala, who was also a noted poet, playwright, composer and freedom fighter. He was instrumental in the production of the first Assamese Film Joymati in 1935, [7] under the banner of Chitralekha Movietone. Aideu Handique was the heroine of this movie. Due to the lack of trained technicians, Jyotiprasad, while making his maiden film, shouldered the added responsibilities as the scriptwriter, producer, director, choreographer, editor, set and costume designer, lyricist, and music director. [8] The film, completed with a budget of 60,000 rupees was released on 10 March 1935. The picture failed. [7] Like so many early Indian films, the negatives and complete prints of Joymati are missing. Some effort has been made privately by Altaf Mazid to restore and subtitle whatever is left of the prints. [9] Despite the significant financial loss from Joymati, the second picture Indramalati was filmed between 1937 and 1938 finally released in 1939. Pramathesh Barua released his Assamese version of Devdas in 1937. It was the last of the 3 language version following Bengali and Hindi.
Agarwala made another film after a lapse of two years titled Indramalati. It was his second and last film. The eminent composer and singer of Assam Bhupen Hazarika, played a prominent role in the play. With the passing away of Jyotiprasad, the Assamese film scene witnessed a temporary lull for about a couple of years. [8] But things changed with the onset of World War II, Taking advantage of this, Rohini Kr. Baruah made a film on a relevant historical topic called Manomati in 1941. It was followed by films like Parvati Prasad Baruwa's Rupahi (1946), Kamal Narayan Choudhury's Badan Barphukan (1947), Phani Sharma's Siraj, Asit Sen's Biplabi, Prabin Phukan's Parghat and Suresh Goswami's Runumi .
In the 1950s, Piyoli Phukan went on to win a National award. The movie was produced by Gama Prasad Agarwalla under the aegis of Rup Jyoti Productions. The film was directed by Phani Sharma and the music was composed by Bhupen Hazarika. The film was about the life of the freedom fighter Piyali Phukan, who stood against the British Rule. He was executed by the British on charges of treason. This film technically was advanced for that time.[ clarification needed ] In 1955, a new talent Nip Barua made his directorial debut with Smrit Paras . His subsequent films Mak Aaru Moram and Ranga Police won many state awards and the silver medal at the national level. Bhupen Hazarika also produced and directed his first film Era Bator Sur . Prabhat Mukherjee made a film on the universality of motherhood, Puberun (1959), which was shown in the Berlin Film Festival.
The next notable film production was Lachit Borphukan by Sarbeswar Chakraborty. Bhupen Hazarika made his musical Shakuntala in 1961, which proved equally successful with critics and the press, winning the president's silver medal. Following this, a chain of films went into regular production and got released, including Nip Barua's Narakasur, Anil Choudhury's Matri Swarga, Brojen Barua's Itu Situ Bahuto and Mukta and Anwar Hussain's Tejimala.
By the middle of the sixties, film began to be produced in Assam on a regular basis. However, between 1935 and 1970 a total of 62 films were produced. Besides the film makers already referred to, many others engaged in film making during the period included Pravin Sharma, Saila Barua, Amar Pathak, Indukalpa Hazarika, Brajen Barua, Dibon Barua, Debkumar Basu, Amulya Manna, Gauri Barman, Atul Bardoloi, Sujit Singha, Nalin Duara and Prafulla Barua. [8]
During the period of 1970–82 a total of 57 Assamese films were made. New directors started emerging. Samarendra Narayan Dev's Aranya (1970), Kamal Choudhury's Bhaity (1972, the first colour film of Assam), Manoranjan Sur's Uttaran (1973), Prabin Bora's Parinam (1974), Deuti Barua's Bristi (1974), Pulok Gogoi's Khoj (1974), Padum Barua's Gonga Silonir Pakhi (1976), Bhabendranath Saikia's Sandhya Raag (1977) and Atul Bordoloi's Kollol (1978) are films worth mentioning. [8]
Notable directors of contemporary Assamese cinema are Jahnu Barua (who directed Aparoopa , Papori , Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai , Bonani , Firingoti and Xagoroloi Bohu Door ); Sanjeev Hazarika ( Haladhar , Meemanxa ) and Bhabendra Nath Saikia who directed Sandhya Raag , Anirbaan , Agnisnaan , Sarothi , Kolahol , Abartan , Itihaas and Kaal Sandhya ). Other directors include Santwana Bordoloi who directed Adajya , Bidyut Chakraborty who made Rag Birag , both of which have won national and international awards, and Manju Borah with her multiple award-winning films such as Baibhab, Akashitarar Kathare, and Laaz. [10]
Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai became the first Assamese film to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in 1988 and also won multiple awards at the Locarno International Film Festival in 1988. [11]
The 2000's saw the rise of multiple notable directors - Bhaskar Hazarika (who directed Kothanodi and Aamis), Prerana Barbarooah (who directed Spirit of The Graceful Lineage, Tumi Aahibaane, Echoes of Sunshine, etc), Deep Choudhury (who directed Alifa and Fishing Samurai), Monjul Baruah (who directed Anur: Eyes on the Sunshine, Kaaneen, etc), etc.
The 2010s saw the release of six Assamese blockbusters- Mission China directed by Zubeen Garg, Tumi Aahibane directed by National Award Winner Prerana Barbarooah, Raamdhenu directed by National Award Winner Munin Barua, Kanchanjangha directed by Zubeen Garg, Priyaar Priyo directed by National Award Winner Munin Barua and Ratnakar directed by Jatin Bora each collecting over ₹1.5 crore in the box office.
Year | Certified | Released |
---|---|---|
2010 | 4 | 3 |
2011 | 7 | 6 |
2012 | 11 | 10 |
2013 | 15 | 14 |
2014 | 21 | 18 |
2015 | 19 | 8 |
2016 | 20 | 17 |
2017 | 16 | 24 |
2018 | 18 |
The 2010s also saw the rise of young independent voices in Assamese cinema, with unique films such as Local Kung Fu (Kenny Basumatary), Village Rockstars and Bulbul Can Sing (Rima Das) garnering accolades both nationally and internationally. Also was released the underground cult short film Muktir Mohakabyo. [13]
The 2010s also saw the loss of many prominent personalities like director Munin Baruah, [14] actor Biju Phukan, [15] musician Bhupen Hazarika, [16] who have played an important role in shaping Assamese cinema.
In 2018, Village Rockstars won the Best Feature Film 'Swarna Kamal' award at the 65th National Film Awards in Delhi, hence becoming the second Assamese film after Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai to win this award. The film also won awards in the categories of Best Child Artist, Best Audiography and Best Editing. [17] [18] The film is also selected for India's official entry to 91st Academy Awards making it the first film from Assam to do this. [19]
On 28 July 2018, another Assamese film Xhoixobote Dhemalite received three awards for Best Film, Best Actress and Best Music in 3rd Love International Film Festival in Los Angeles, US. [20] The film also got 8 nominations. [21] It also became the first Assamese film to release in the US. [22] [23]
In 2019, two commercial hit movies were released. one is Kanchanjangha and another is Ratnakar.
Kanchanjangha , released on 5 September become the fastest Assamese film to cross the ₹1 crore mark by doing so in 4 days. The film also crossed the ₹2 crore mark within 1 week after its release. It collected total 7 crore rupees. [24] [25]
Ratnakar , released on 11 October became a hit and earned ₹90.5 lakh in 2 days. After one week of release it earned ₹3.31 crore rupees which is the highest gross for any Assamese cinema in one week. After two weeks it earned total ₹6.63 crore rupees, breaking all box office records of Assamese cinema. [26] [27] After six weeks it collected a total ₹ 9.25 crore. [28] Ji Galpar Ses Nai was made in 2019 and yet to be released,[ needs update ] is the first anthology film directed by Prodyut Kumar Deka, Prashant Saikia and UtpalDatta.
Rank | Film | Year | Studio(s) | Director | Worldwide Gross | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sri Raghupati | 2023 | Maniratna Entertainment | Suvrat Kakoti | ₹13.81 crore (US$1.7 million) | [29] [30] |
2 | Ratnakar | 2019 | J. B. Production | Jatin Bora | ₹9.25 crore (US$1.1 million) | [31] |
3 | Kanchanjangha | 2019 | Eye Creation Productions | Zubeen Garg | ₹7 crore (US$840,000) | |
4 | Dr. Bezbaruah 2 | 2023 | AM Television | Nipon Goswami | ₹6.91 crore (US$830,000) | [32] |
5 | Raghav | 2023 | J. B. Production | Jatin Bora | ₹6.65 crore (US$800,000) | [33] |
6 | Mission China | 2017 | Eye Creation Productions | Zubeen Garg | ₹6 crore (US$720,000) | |
7 | Bidurbhai | 2024 | Rootstock Entertainment | Suvrat Kakoti | ₹5.1 crore (US$610,000) | |
8 | Raamdhenu | 2011 | Pride East Entertainment | Munin Barua | ₹2.04 crore (US$240,000) | |
9 | Tumi Aahibane | 2017 | Prerana Creations | Prerana Barbarooah | ₹1.94 crore (US$230,000) | |
10 | Priyaar Priyo | 2017 | Azaan Films | Munin Barua | ₹1.80 crore (US$220,000) | |
11 | Joymoti | 1935 | Chitralekha Movietone | Jyotiprasad Agarwala | ₹1.48 crore (US$180,000) (Estimated and inflation adjusted) | |
12 | Hiya Diya Niya | 2000 | Pooja Motion Pictures | Munin Barua | ₹1 crore (US$120,000) (Inflation adjusted) | |
13 | Doordarshan Eti Jantra | 2016 | AM Television | Rajesh Bhuyan | ₹90 lakh (US$110,000) | |
14 | Joubane Amoni Kore | 1998 | Lakshmi Narayan Film | Ashok Kumar Bishaya | ₹89.5 lakh (US$110,000) | |
15 | Basundhara | 2010 | Surabhi Enterprise | Hiren Bora | ₹87 lakh (US$100,000) | |
16 | Village Rockstars | 2018 | Flying River Films | Rima Das | ₹80 lakh (US$96,000) | |
17 | Bahniman | 2016 | Santoshi Maa Production | Biswajeet Bora | ₹65 lakh (US$78,000) | |
18 | Tumi Mur Mathu Mur | 2000 | NK Film Production | Zubeen Garg | ₹62 lakh (US$74,000) (Inflation adjusted) | |
19 | Nayak | 2001 | Pooja Motion Pictures | Munin Barua | ₹57 lakh (US$68,000) (Inflation adjusted) | |
20 | Kanyadaan | 2002 | ₹55 lakh (US$66,000) (Inflation adjusted) | |||
21 | Daag | 2001 | Pooja Motion Picture | ₹54.5 lakh (US$65,000) (Inflation adjusted) | ||
22 | Ruff & Tuff | 2017 | Norman Studio Works | Mani Sinha | ₹45 lakh (US$54,000) | |
23 | Jeevan Baator Logori | 2009 | Hills Motion Picture Association | Timothy Das Hanche | ₹41 lakh (US$49,000) | |
24 | Junbai | 2005 | Manas Robin Production | Rajesh Bhuyan | ₹39.5 lakh (US$47,000) (Inflation adjusted) | |
25 | Junbai Dwitiya | 2006 | Manas Robin Production | Rajesh Bhuyan | ₹39 lakh (US$47,000) (Inflation adjusted) | |
Assamese short films refer to the cinematic works produced in the Assamese language, predominantly originating from the northeastern state of Assam, India. These films, typically ranging from a few minutes to half an hour in duration, provide a platform for local filmmakers to tell engaging stories, explore social issues, and showcase Assamese culture and traditions.
Assam State Film Award is an award ceremony for Assamese Films in Guwahati.
Prag Cine Awards [34] are presented annually by Prag News. The aim of the award is to give support, recognition and inspiration to the Assamese film industry and honour some of the eminent film personalities who have contributed to the cause of Assamese cinema. The award was first instituted in the year 2003. Starting from 2015, films produced in other Northeastern states were also honoured in this ceremony.
Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival is a homage to the rich culture of Northeast India. The festival is dedicated to the film fraternity of the Northeast region of India, especially Assam. It is an initiative for new filmmakers to come together and rediscover various aspects of film making. The film festival is in Guwahati, Assam, India annually since 2013. It is an initiative of Tattva Creations.
The prestigious National Award has been awarded to many Assamese Filmmakers, Munin Barua in 2004 for 'Dinabandhoo', Prerana Barbarooah in 2007 for 'Spirit of The Graceful Lineage', Hemanta Das in 1999 for 'Koihatir Dhulia', Santwana Bardoloi in 1996 for 'Adajya', Bhabendra Nath Saikia in 1995 for 'Itihas', Jahnu Barua in 1988 for 'Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai', Chandra Narayan Barua in 1986 for 'The Land Where Wind Blows Free' and Nip Barua in 1958 for 'Ronga Police'.
The music of Assam consists various genres of folk and modern music, drawing its artistic basis from the history of Assam, from Assamese culture and its ancient traditions. In recent times, starting from the late eighties, popular artistes have modernized the music catering to local popular demand.
Jyoti Prasad Agarwala was a noted Indian playwright, songwriter, poet, writer and film maker from Assam. He was considered as Assamese cultural icon, deeply revered for his creative vision and output and is popularly called the Rupkonwar of Assamese culture. In fact, he is regarded as the founder of Assamese cinema for Joymoti (1935). His death anniversary is observed as Silpi divas his honor.
Jahnu Barua is an Indian film director. He has written and directed a number of Assamese and Hindi films. Some of his notable films are Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai (1987), Firingoti (1992), Xagoroloi Bohu Door (1995), Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara (2005), Konikar Ramdhenu (2003), Baandhon (2012), and Ajeyo (2014).
Joymoti is a 1935 Indian film widely considered to be the first Assamese film ever made. Based on Lakshminath Bezbaroa's play about the 17th-century Ahom princess Joymoti Konwari, the film was produced and directed by the noted Assamese poet, author, and film-maker Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, and starred Aideu Handique and acclaimed stage actor and playwright Phani Sarma. The film, shot between 1933 and 1935, was released by Chitralekha Movietone on 10 March 1935 1935 and marked the beginning of Assamese cinema.
Indramalati is a 1939 film directed by the Assamese poet Jyotiprasad Agarwala.
Jatin Bora is an Indian actor and director who has appeared in Assamese language films since 1989. He is also an actor and director in some mobile theatre (Bhramyaman) groups of Assam, including Aabahan, Hengool, Ashirbaad, Bhagyadevi, Kohinoor, Itihas and Surjya.
Sailadhar Baruah was an film producer from Assam, India. He is best remembered for his visionary contribution to Assamese Cinema as the producer of some of the greatest Assamese movies ever made, such as Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai and Xagoroloi Bohudoor.
Beauty Sharma Barua is a singer from Assam, India. She is one of the best-known and most respected Assamese folk music, Indian classical music, ghazal and bhajan singers of Assam. More popularly known as The Melody Queen of Assam and Beauty Baideu, she has recorded over a thousand songs for All India Radio, Doordarshan, albums and others. She has sung songs in over six regional Indian languages, though primarily in Assamese and Hindi. Beauty Barua married renowned writer and lyricist Dwijendra Mohan Sharma (1948–2006), called the Man with Melody in His Pen by The Daily Telegraph, in 1976.
The Prag Cine Awards 2013 ceremony, presented by the Prag Network, honored the actors, technical achievements, and films censored in 2012 from Assam and took place on 14 April 2013, at the GMCH Auditorium in Guwahati, India. Bollywood director Kalpana Lajmi, actors Pooja Bhatt, Adil Hussain were present at the event while veteran Assamese actor Pranjal Saikia and Zerifa Wahid hosted the show.
Kaal Sandhya is a 1997 Indian Hindi crime drama film dwelling on militancy in Assam, directed by Bhabendra Nath Saikia. The film deals with the theme of the impact of the insurgency on common people. It stars Jatin Bora, Ashish Vidyarthi, Debashree Roy, Nipon Goswami, Pranjal Saikia, Hemen Barman, Munin Barua and Mridula Baruah in the lead roles.
Hiya Diya Niya is a 2000 Indian Assamese romantic drama movie directed by Munin Barua and produced under Pooja Motion Pictures. The music was composed by Zubeen Garg. It was released on 25 February 2000. This film marked Assamese's first film to be shot outside India.
Baharul Islam is an Indian theater actor. An alumnus of the National School of Drama, which he had joined in 1987 Baharul has acted in more than 80 plays, designed and directed 30 plays for his theater troupe Seagull. He is one of the busiest theatre artists in Assam. He is also a film actor who works in Assamese and Hindi films.
Nayak is a 2001 Indian Assamese romantic drama movie directed by Munin Barua and produced under the banner of Pooja Motion Pictures. Music was composed by Zubeen Garg. The film was released on 30 November 2001.
Tumi Aahibaane is a 2017 Indian Assamese language musical romance film directed by Prerana Barbarooah and jointly produced by Bibi Devi Barbarooah & ASFFDC under the banner of Prerana Creations. The film stars Ravi Sarma and Barsha Rani Bishaya in lead role and Gunjan Bhardwaj and Moonmi Phukan in Supporting role. It is the 8th highest grossing Assamese film.
The Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF) is an annual film festival held in Guwahati, Assam, India. The State Government-owned Jyoti Chitraban (Film Studio) Society organised the festival in association with the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute. The first ever Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF) to be held in northeast India, which will be inaugurated on 28 October 2017 by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The Assam government supported festival began on 28 October with screening of the Oscar winning ‘The Salesman’, directed by Asghar Farhadi and produced by a joint collaboration of Iran and France.
Kanchanjangha: Rise is a 2019 Indian Assamese-language action drama film directed by Zubeen Garg and produced by Zubeen Garg and Garima Saikia Garg under the banner of "Eye Creation Productions". The film features Zubeen Garg in lead role and Pabitra Rabha, Pinky Sharma, Sasanka Samir in supporting roles. Zubeen Garg wrote the story and screenplay for the film.
Pratighaat is an Indian Assamese language action drama and romance film directed by Achinta Shankar, written by Rajdweep and produced by Narendra N Sinha and Nalini Roy Gayari. The film has been released under the banner of Issue Production and distributed by Norman Studio Works. The film features Amrita Gogoi and Diganta Hazarika in lead roles while Ashramika Saikia as child artist. It is scheduled to release on 6 December 2019
Priyaar Priyo is a 2017 Indian Assamese-language romantic comedy film directed by Munin Barua and produced under Azaan Films. It is the 9th highest grossing Assamese film.