Workshop on videography:

Guwahati: A two-month-long workshop on videography and direction was recently inaugurated at the Nagaon Natya Mandir under the auspices of AR Vision, a pioneer editing studio of Nagaon owned by Arup Kumar Nath. The lessons in the workshop, both theory and practical, are being imparted by Indukalpa Hazarika, Abha Hazarika, Shivanan Barua, Suman Duarah, Paresh Barua, Nirmal Deka (Tito) and Kishore Sarma. After the completion of the workshop, an experimental video film is going to be made by the participants. The workshop was inaugurated by journalist Pratap Bardoloi by lighting earthen lamps. During the function, artiste Surya das broke the cocnut while actress Abha Hazarika garlanded the camera. Cinematographer Indukalpa Hazarika switched on the camera. The special invitees. Arunlochan Das, shivanan Barua and Krishore Sarma were felicitated by the organisers.

Video film; Kalsandhya:

Guwahati: Kalsandhya, a new video film has been recently completed under the director of women director, writer and actress Pakhila Kalita. The director Kalita has written the script and dialogue for the film based on a contemporary social theme written by Prof Kinaram Bora. The theme depicts the deterioration of moral values in the present day society and ill effects of western culture. The film is produced Labanya Das Bora under the banner of Takshasila Productions.

Video film Bhagyalipi:

Guwahati: A full-length video film titled Bhagyalipi, directed by Kalyan Dey, is under production. The film has been produced by upcoming actor Dilip Kumar das under the banner of Bhagyashree Cine Production of Guwahati. The story, screenplay and dialogue are written by reputed dramatist Mahesh Kalita. The contemporary theme reflecting events in the state and participating of popular and glamour artistes are likely to be well-received by the viewers. The cast includes Jatin Bora, Malaya Goswami, Barasharani Bishya, Chetana Das, Hiranya Deka, Aradhana Dey, Dilip Kumar Das and Mahesh Kalita, supported by a number of other artistes. Incidentally, director Kalyan Dey, who is also the cinematographer, is well-known as the 'King of Lighting' in theatrs. Another plus point of the film is its music directed by Diganta Bharati and the songs rendered by Kallol Barthakur, Barnali Kalita, Bibita Sarma, Archana Das and Diganta Bharati. A group of expert technicians are also behind the camera. The film, which was shot in scenic locales of Sonapur, Barapani and other places, is ready for editing. The indoor shooting was done at Shankardev film studio. Moupran Sarma is the chief assistant director while Dimbeswar Baishya is the assistant ditrector. Bhagyalipi is going o be released prior to Rongali Bihu.

Assam actor in Bangla film:

Guwahati: Siddartaha Mukherjee, the popular comedian from Assam, recently returned from Kolkata after taking part in the shooting of a Bangla film titled Chakra, directed by Sanghamitra Choudhury, who has also penned the story and the screenplay. Siddhartha took part in the shooting in Kolkata, Darjeeling, North Bengal and Ramoji Film City in Hyderbad along with Tissha Sengupta, koel Banerjee, Rajatava Dutta (villain), Johny Lever, Sushanta, Feroz, Mon and Pallavi, a young Assamese actress from Lakhimpur. Siddhartha, hailing from Rehabari, Guwahati has played a major role in the entertaining film. He has a number of Assamese films, TV serials, telefilms and stage plays to his credit and has carved a niche in the industry with his roles in films like Krishnachura, Bukur Majot Jwale, Morom Nodir Gabharu Ghat, Hiya Diya Niya, Daag, Asne Konoba Hiya, Koina Mor Dhunia and lately Aghori Atma Kahini. He began his career with his performance in the play Bator Naat produced by IPTA. Music for the film has been scored by Saikat Dev while choreography is by Murli. Judo Ramu is the fight director. Ravi ranjan Maitra is in charge of editing. Chakra is going to be released in April.

Guwahati: Sahil Entertainment's Snehbandhan, an Assamese feature film directed by upcoming director Debajit Adhikary is in brief, a well-made film having a simple appealing story with the backdrop of rural and urban way of life of a family, their laughter and teas, hopes and aspirations. With his first directorial debut, Debajit bears the testimony of a promising director.

Bodo video Anjaalee:

Guwahati: Anjaalee, a Bodo musical video album directed by actor Harendra Arnab, produced under the banner of Double H Production has recently hit the stands. The interesting aspects of the album are that a number of Assamese and Bodo artistes have participated in the album. Appealing Bodo modern songs have been lip-synced by popular hero of Assamese films Rabi Sarma and Hemanga Roy Choudhury - while young Assamese girls have appeared in the dance sequences wearing Dakhana, the traditional costume of Bodo women - which are the highlights of the album. The Bodo songs by Zubeen Garg, Bijoy Bhuyan, Sulekha Basumatary and Menaka have added colour to the album. Debananda Neog has beautifully done the photography in the scenic out door locations of Pabitra Reserve and other places. The cast in the alblum include Ravi Sarma, Hemanga Roychowdhury, Harendra Arnab, Hiranya Kumar Bodo, Bijumoni, Kabita, Jirima, Rashmi, Ranjita, Bijoya, Daisy, Dwipen and Sajay. The choreography by Naushad and Kabin Raj Gayari are impressive. Anjaalee, produced by Hiranya Kumar Bodo and harendra Arnab is likely to be popular among the viewers - both Assamese and Bodo.

Guwahati: The internationally acclaimed film director Jahnu Barua has directed a 27-minute documentary film on Jnanpith Award winner Mamoni Raisom Goswami. The film is produced under the aegis of Sahitya Akademi which has entrusted the project to Jahnu Barua. Jahnu Barua recently completed the shooting of the film covering various locations of Guwahati and its suburbs, Delhi University and other places, where the celebrated writer spent most of her life till now. There is focus on her childhood and youth at Shillong, residences at Chenikuthi and Gandhibasti in the city and her ancestral home at Amranga, near Mirza. The creative aspects of the most popular writer is highlighted in the documentary which is yet untitled. The film is likely to be completed in April next.

Vidya Rao in small screen:

Guwahati: With the completion of shooting of the film Mann Gahanat, Dipankar Kashyap brings yet again another film legend Vidya Rao to the small screen. This is after successfully introducing other film legends like Biju Phukan and Mridula Baruah to the small screen. Scheduled to be released shortly, Mann Gahanat is a musical love story shot in a musical motion with hardly any static shots. This is the first time this style has been attempted in an Assamese movie. This is the first commercial film of choreographer Uday Shankar, who has a superhit Bihu VCD Jetuka behind him. The film has been produced by Manish Choudhury under the banner of 'graFiX'. Manish has worked for the film industry in Canada and Banglore. Dipankar Kashyap is the co-producer of the film. The story of Mann Gahanat revolves around a young budding singer played by Utpal Das. He falls in love with his two lady friends, played by Prayashi Parashar and Poppy Barman, only to realize that his true love lies in Prayashi. The movie exudes a lot of love, passion and heartaches. This is also the first comeback film of Vidya Rao. In this film, the comedy king of Laughing train group, Pankaj Das plays a serious character for the first time, along with Abhijit, another well known comedy actor. The story of the movie is by a renowned photographer Anup Baruah and the script is by Abhijit Hazarika. The music has been scored by Bikas Baruah. The costumes have been designed by Dipankar Kashyap himself and the make up done by Akash. The cinematographer is Bisu and the editor is Mrinal Haloi.

Video film; Baidabhumi:

Guwahati: Baidhabhumi, a video film, directed by Munna Ahmed is going to be released soon under the banner of Unique Cine Production, produced by Peny Bordoloi and Apoline Phukan. The film depicts the endeavour of an honest forest officer to preserve valuable forest resources against heavy odds and his personal life of hopes and sorrows. The story, script and dialogue and written by Uttam Phukan. The film was extensively shot in the forests of upper Assam by Krishna Shah. Manas Adhikary Vision. The role of the forest officer is portrayed by Ravi Sarma and Gayatri Mahanta enacts the heroine's role. The cast includes a good number of newcomers. Jananjoy Saikia has directed the music while the background music has been provided by Bhagawat Pritam. Ananya has done the choreography besides assisting in direction.

Guwahati: Acclaimed and veteran Bihu artiste Aimoni Gogoi, who with her troupe mesmerized audiences in cultural festivals in different parts of India as well as Russia, has produced a video film titled Noaro Bandhiba Mon that show-cases Bihu culture in its finest form in a story that revolves round the pristine love affair of young couple. The story and screenplay of the video film is by Dr Anil Saikia with photography and direction by Biswakjit Barua. The video film, set in the rural backdrop and replete with Bihu songs and dances, has in its cast Bishnu Khargharia, Barasharani Bishaya, Ranjan Sarma, Jayashree Khaund, Dayal Lochan Bora, Babul Bora and others, while Membor Gogoi has made a guest appearance. The choreography has been done by aimoni Gogoi and Babul Bora.

Adhinayak releasing on February 17:

Guwahati: Adhinayak, the much-awaited Assamese feature film directed by popular hero Jatin Bora, is going to be released on February 17, simultaneously at Tezpur, Nagaon and Dhemaji. This is the first directorial venture by Jatin Bora who has to his credit a big number of achievements in films, stage, TV serials and mobile theatre by dint of his perseverance for the last sixteen years. Bora has chosen the story of the film from his most favourite director-dramatist Munin Barua who has also written the script and dialogue. The music direction is by his another favourite Zebeen Garg. The well-known cinematographer Suman Duarah has handled the camera. Rajesh Bhuyan is the technical adviser of the film. The hero's role in the film is enacted by Jatin Bora himself supported by Nishita Goswami, Rimpi Das, Nikumoni Barua, Guna Mahanta, Dilip Barua, Basabi Bhuyan, Arun Hazarika, Bhabesh Das, Jowan Dutta, Suren Bora, newcomer Arup Bora and child artiste Jishnu Kakati. A number of well-known artistes are appearing in the film as guest artistes - Chetana Das, Prastuti Parashar, Jayanta Das, Upakul Bordoloi, Hiranya Das, Debajit Mazumdar and Avatosh Bhuyan.

Guwahati: Snehbandhan, an Assamese feature film directed by a debutant Debojit Adhikary is releasing on Feb 3, simultaneously at three theaters of the city Vandana, Udeshna and Urvashi. The story, script and dialogue of the social entertaining film is written by the director himself. The film is produced by Rosy Ahmed, June Das and Dharmendra Chowdhury under the banner of Sahil Entertainment, Guwahati. Well known musician Nanda Banerjee has provided music with playback singing by Zubeen Garg, Jitul Sonowal, Namita Bhattacharya, Shanta Uzir and Queen Hazarika. A Bargeet of Mahapurush Madhavdev has been rendered by khagen Mahanta. This is the last film shot by late Mrinal Kanti Das. The cast includes Mridula Barua, Madhusmita Sakia, Hiranya Das and Rajashree Phukan make special appearance.

Guwahati: The audio cassette of the songs of the Assamese horror film Aghari Atma, directed by Munna Ahmed was released on January 19 at the premier show of the film by veteram music composed-lyricist Tafazzul Ali. Noted music director Bhupen Uzir has done the musical score with the songs rendered by Zubeen Garg, Shanta Uzir, Mahalakshmi Aiyer, Kamal Rashid Ahmed, Mayukh Hazarika, Parikshit, Vidisha and Pritismita Uzir. The musical arrangement is by Suman Mitra. One of the songs is tuned by Bipul Barua. The songs are written by Ibson Barua, dwijendra Mohan Sarma and Bhupen Uzir.

NE documentary films for MIFF:

Guwahati: Seven documentary films are going to be screened at the Ninth Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) beginning on February 3 in a special section of the North-East. The films are Kaihatir Dhulia (Drummers of Kaihati) directed by Hementa Das, which deals with the art form with special reference to Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner Mohan Bhaworiya; Where the Tallest Grass Grows, which deals with the relationship of man with bamboo, directed by Maulee Senapati; Prayer for New God, directed by Moji Riba, focuses on the indigenous faith of Arunachal Pradesh and the same director's What is with the Bamboo Dance? Deals with the young Mizo Association's relationship with society and politics of Mizoram; the Dance of the Lai Haroba, made by acclaimed Manipuri filmmaker Aribam Shyam Sharma, deals with the beautiful dance form of Manipur; Sons of Apatani: The Misings by well known Assamese director Gautam Bora and Binding Threads by Metevinuo Ate Sakhrie of Nagaland. The festival features 500 entries from over 40 countries. MIFF is one of the most prestigious film festival - which is presenting the best of international documentaries, short films and animated films. The competitive festival will give away Rs 28 lakh in prize money.

Guwahati: Aghori Atma, an Assamese horror film directed by Munna Ahmed, is releasing on Jan 20 at three cinema halls of the city. The film is the first one to be released in the New Year. The film was cleared by the censor board with an 'A' certificate. Sambhu Gupta has written the story and the screenplay. Special effects for this offbeat film are provided by Sujit Bora and Arup Kakati, two Mumbai-based Assamese youths. The stunts have been by provided by Abinash Kishore. The film is produced by Pankaj Lochan Dev Mahanta and Afroz Muhammad. The executive producer Bhupen Uzir has scored the music for the film. The songs are rendered by Zubeen Garg, Shanta Uzir, Kamal Rashid Ahmed, Mahalaxmi Aaiyer, Parikshit Kalita and Vidisha Kashyap, with lyrics by Dwijendra Mohan Sarma, Tarun Sarma and Ibson Barua. The cast of the film made under the banner of Mahamaya films includes Nipon Goswami, Jatin Bora, Jayanta Bhagawati, Chetana Das, Konki Bordoloi, Aaimee Barua, Siddhartha Mukharji Bhaskar Bora, Suren Bora, Dinesh Bishaya, Mayuri Bharali and child artiste Karvilina Deka. Dipak Baba is the adviser for the film.