Assamese cinema

Assamese cinema, also known as Jollywood cinemas, is cinema in the Assamese language, watched primarily in Assam, India. The industry was born in 1935 when Jyoti Prasad Agarwala released his movie Joymoti. Since then Assamese cinema has developed a slow-paced, sensitive style, especially with the movies of Bhabendra Nath Saikia and Jahnu Barua.[3] The industry is called Jollywood,[4][5] named for Agarwala's Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio.[6]

Cinema of Assam
Gold Digital Cinema in Golaghat; Gold Digital Cinema is one of the largest multiplex chain of Assam
No. of screensApprox. 82 in the state of Assam[1]
Main distributorsASFFDC
AM Television
Dolphin Films Pvt. Ltd
Produced feature films (2017)[2]
Total16 in the year 2017
Gross box office (2017)
Total₹10 crore (US$1.4 million)
Indian cinema

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.[7]

History

1930s
See also: List of Assamese films of the 1930s
The first Assamese picture, Joymati (1935)

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,[3] under the banner of Chitralekha Movietone. 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.[3] 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.

1940s
See also: List of Assamese films of the 1940s

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.

1950s
See also: List of Assamese films of the 1950s

In the 1950s, Piyali 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. 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.

1960s
See also: List of Assamese films of the 1960s

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]

1970s
See also: List of Assamese films of the 1970s

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]

1980s

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]

1990s
Adajya, 1996

2000s
See also: List of Assamese films of the 2000s

In the starting of the 2000s, the director-actor-musician trio of Munin Barua, Jatin Bora and Zubeen Garg made many popular hit films like Hiya Diya Niya and Nayak.

2010s
Further information: List of Assamese films of the 2010s
Assamese feature films certified and released in 2010s[12]
YearCertifiedReleased
201043
201176
20121110
20131514
20142118
2015198
20162017
20171624
20181822

The 2010s saw the release of four Assamese blockbusters - Raamdhenu, Mission China, Kanchanjangha and Ratnakar each collecting over ₹2 crore in the box office. Tumi Aahibane and Priyaar Priyo also crossed the one crore mark.

The 2010s also saw the rise of young independent voices in Assamese cinema, with unique films such as Local Kung Fu (Kenny Basumatary), Kothanodi and Aamis (Bhaskar Hazarika), 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.

2018

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]

2019

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 5.12 crore rupees.[24]

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.[25][26] After six weeks it collected a total ₹ 9.25 crore.[27] Ji Galpar Ses Nai was made in 2019 and yet to released, is the first anthology film directed by Prodyut Kumar Deka, Prashant Saikia and UtpalDatta.

Assamese films

All time highest grossing Assamese films
Background color      indicates the now running on theatres. This list also include some old films with their box office collection inflation adjusted
Rank Peak Rank Film Year Studio(s) Worldwide Gross Ref.
1 1 Ratnakar 2019 J. B. Production ₹9.25 crore (US$1.3 million) [28]
2 1 Mission China 2017 i Creation Production ₹6 crore (US$840,000)
3 2 Kanchanjangha 2019 ₹5.12 crore (US$720,000) [29]
4 1 Raamdhenu 2011 Pride East Entertainment ₹2.04 crore (US$290,000)
5 3 Tumi Aahibane 2017 Prerana Creations ₹1.94 crore (US$270,000)
6 4 Priyaar Priyo 2017 Azaan Films ₹1.80 crore (US$250,000) [30]
7 1 Joymoti 1935 Chitralekha Movietone ₹1.48 crore (US$210,000) (Estimated and inflation adjusted)
8 1 Hiya Diya Niya 2000 Pooja Motion Pictures ₹1 crore (US$140,000) (Inflation adjusted)
9 2 Doordarshan Eti Jantra 2016 AM Television ₹90 lakh (US$130,000)
10 Basundhara 2010 Surabhi Enterprise ₹87 lakh (US$120,000)
11 8 Village Rockstars 2018 ₹80 lakh (US$110,000)
12 5 Bahniman 2016 Santoshi Maa Production ₹65 lakh (US$91,000)
13 2 Nayak 2001 Pooja Motion Pictures ₹57 lakh (US$80,000) (Inflation adjusted)
14 3 Kanyadaan 2002 ₹55 lakh (US$77,000) (Inflation adjusted)
15 8 Ruff & Tuff 2017 Norman Studio Works ₹45 lakh (US$63,000)
16 4 Jeevan Baator Logori 2009 Hills Motion Picture Association ₹41 lakh (US$57,000)

Awards

Assam State Film Awards

Assam State Film Award is an award ceremony for Assamese Films in Guwahati

Prag Cine Awards

Prag Cine Awards[31] 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
Main article: Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival

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.

National Film Award
Main article: National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Assamese
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References
  1. "STATEWISE NUMBER OF SINGLE SCREENS". Film Federation of India. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  2. "Indian Feature Films 2016". filmfed.org. Archived from the original on 24 November 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  3. Assam General Knowledge. Bright Publications. p. 109. ISBN 978-81-7199-451-9. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
  4. "'Mission China is a Project, Not Just a Movie' » Northeast Today". Northeast Today. 15 September 2017. Archived from the original on 11 January 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  5. "Cinema and its impact on Indian society". ReviewMantra. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  6. "The Telegraph - Calcutta : Northeast". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  7. Lakshmi B. Ghosh, "A rare peep into world of Assamese cinema", The Hindu, 2006
  8. "ASSAMESE FILM INDUSTRY: GROWTH, CHALLENGES AND FUTURE PROSPECTS". Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  9. Mazid, Altaf (2006) Joymoti : The first radical film of India, Himal Magazine, March 2006. Archived 8 December 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  10. "Manju Borah – Assamese Filmmaker". Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  11. "The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum - Lead Article". www.tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  12. "Indian Feature Films certified during the year". Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  13. "Muktir Mohakabyo".
  14. "Munin Barua passes away". The Telegraph. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  15. "Iconic actor Biju Phukan passes away at 70 - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  16. "Nation mourns death of legendary singer Bhupen Hazarika". India Today. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  17. "65th National Film Awards: Assamese film 'Village Rockstars' wins Best Feature Film - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  18. "Village Rockstars director Rima Das feels immense joy as Assam brings back National Award after 30 years". The Indian Express. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  19. "'Village Rockstars' is India's official entry to Oscars 2019". The Hindu. Special Correspondent. 22 September 2018. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 September 2018.CS1 maint: others (link)
  20. "Assamese film wins 3 top awards at US fest - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  21. "Assamese film 'Xhoixobote Dhemalite' gets 8 nominations at US film festival". The Economic Times. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  22. "In a first, Assamese film 'Rainbow Fields' to get US release - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  23. "US debut for Assam film". The Telegraph. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  24. "Zubeen's Kanchanjangha becomes highest grosser ever in Northeast, collects Rs 5.12 crore". The News Mill. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  25. "Asomiya Pratidin ePaper : 20-10-2019 | অসমীয়া-প্রতিদিন ই-বাতৰিকাকত Page: 4". epaper.asomiyapratidin.in. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  26. "Asomiya Pratidin ePaper : 27-10-2019 | অসমীয়া-প্রতিদিন ই-বাতৰিকাকত Page: 4". epaper.asomiyapratidin.in. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  27. "Asomiya Pratidin ePaper : 17-11-2019 | অসমীয়া-প্রতিদিন ই-বাতৰিকাকত Page: 4". epaper.asomiyapratidin.in. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  28. "Asomiya Pratidin ePaper : 17-11-2019 | অসমীয়া-প্রতিদিন ই-বাতৰিকাকত Page: 4". epaper.asomiyapratidin.in. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  29. "Zubeen's Kanchanjangha becomes highest grosser ever in Northeast, collects Rs 5.12 crore". The News Mill. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  30. "Priyaar Priyo Assamese movie". moviesfyi. Archived from the original on 2 March 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  31. "Nominations of Prag Cine Award 2014". Archived from the original on 15 November 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
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