7th issue

22
G-Talk
POINT
GPLUS AUG 10 - AUG 16, 2013
Will the Assamese film industry
ever regain its past glory?
Ravi Sharma
Actor
There are many factors right now for such a crisis. The quality of a film
is judged only when people go and watch it. Although we have lost that
faith of the people but I believe there is still a large chunk of population
who loves to watch Assamese films and in fact come to the theatres to
watch them. When more of this audience will start watching films then
obviously the producers will make money and in this way, the budget for
the coming movies can be increased and the quality of the films can be
improved. The Assamese film industry will definitely flourish only when
the following factors are dealt with immediate force. The first is the time
allotment for screening of the Assamese films. Mostly, we are allotted the
11.00 A.M. slot, which is very odd because most of the audience do not
come to the theatres at this time of the day. Moreover, the distributors who
are operating here are mostly non-assamese and so they don’t feel or have
any sentiments for the assamese people. Though they have to buy the copyrights
for Hindi films, they don’t have to do the same for Assamese films.
Since they do not make investments for the Assamese films, they don’t
have any liability. In that case, we will have to be strict and demand for the
best show timings to screen Assamese movies in the theatres. Moreover,
when we have to screen a film we have to acquire the certificate from the
state censor board and for that, we have to pay an amount and make a
registration under IMPA, a Kolkata based NGO. This way the registration
amount does not only go out of the state but it is also illogical.
The creativity of the artiste cannot be blamed because they are very
hard working but the marketing skills needs to be upgraded in the region
because if you are familiar with the concept of selling then the product
will definitely reach the audience. This is
seriously lacking here. Our government
too must take a strong stand now. Ear-
lier, the entertainment tax was returned
to the producers by the government but
it is no longer so. They had also committed
to finance a certain number of films
in a year but the promise was never kept.
Moreover, if the government sponsors
such projects then, only the award-winning
directors are given priority. This
trend must change.
Finally, yet importantly, the media
houses and the news channels have a
huge responsibility to properly portray
the positive image of the industry. They
often write stories for the sake of sensationalising
even a petty matter which
tends to harm the image of the film industry
or the people related to it. These
artistes’ live in a society where they share
the space with other people as well, so
the negative publicity will surely reduce
the love for them and for the industry.
“
The artiste cannot
be blamed
because they
are very hard
working but the
marketing skills
needs to be upgraded
in the
region because if
you are familiar
with the concept
of selling then the
product will definitely
reach the
audience.
Chandan Sarmah
Film Critic
COUNTERPOINT
The question of revival of the Assamese film industry is indeed a
much difficult one to address and to find a solution acceptable to, at
least, the conscious section of Assamese film lovers is complicated.
There was a time when the quality of a film was the only factor for it
to click at the box office. But, now that the boom of the multiplexes
has literally dominated the entire film business, the size of a movie has
become the main factor. Moreover, besides the overall magnitude of the
film — right from the star cast, acting quality to the locations, songs
and splendidly designed choreography to the visual effects — the audience,
by and large, are always crave some sort of uniqueness in the film.
Probably, the success of ‘Bhag Milkha Bhag’ is the best example in this
regard.
Well, agreed that Assamese cinema cannot be expected to attain
that height overnight. There are limitations as far as the production
budget is concerned because the business outlet for Assamese cinema
is just within the state of Assam. An Assamese film is commercially
released in not more that 50 theatres of the state. Therefore, to hit the
bulls eye with limited budget, one has to make optimum use of the basic
ingredients of film-making. Such as, unique storyline, outstanding
script, convincing acting, refreshing music and distinctive directorial
treatment. Of course, the minimum technical fineness is very much required
to make the film at least acceptable to some extent. In Assam,
there is a batch of new generation actors who have proved their credibility.
Same is the case with Assam’s film technicians also. The disappointing
aspects in the present-day Assamese cinema are uniqueness
in storyline, a proper script and proper
directorial skill. It is indeed a fact
that one needs huge amounts of
money to make a real good film but
‘baandhon’ by
jahnu barua
and ‘Dwaar’
by bidyut
Chakravortty
do not play
such a big role
in the process
of revival of
assamese film
industry.
“
there is no question of money in
case of conceiving a unique storyline
and preparing a perfect script.
A ‘Baandhon’ by Jahnu Barua
and ‘Dwaar’ by Bidyut Chakravortty
do not play such a big role in
the process of revival of Assamese
film industry. There has to be a
complete professional approach of
both the producer and the director
first to make a real good film and
then to sell it. National sentiment
does not ensure success of an Assamese
film. The latest Assamese
releases are profound examples but
it is also true that the Assamese
film-lovers, even now, are fond of
Assamese cinema. However, there
has to be at least some quality in a
film in order to capitalise on that
sentiment.