New Assamese feature film ‘Hanumanor Sadhu’ to be released shortly

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 6, 2024

National award-winning filmmaker Prabin Hazarika is all set to release his latest full-length Assamese feature film ‘Hanumanor Sadhu’.

Nearly two years of preparation, Hazarika has endeavoured to explore something starkly different from his directorial debut – the 2014 release ‘Sringkhal’, with a satirical story, set in the pre-independence era, in his new venture. 

The fact that from time to time, in a particular event or accident, whenever Ram and Ravan join forces and become one, are forced to adopt the same tone of voice, and believe and partake in the democratic process, then there’s bound to be chaos and confusion in the minds of ordinary mortals like us. In fact, circumstances sometimes do lead to such consequences! 

The film’s story, based on an acclaimed work of the same name by the state’s progressive writer, columnist, political analyst, publisher, scriptwriter and film critic Pabitra Kumar Deka, was aired on Guwahati Doordarshan in two episodes to massive popularity in 1994. People immensely enjoyed the story, portrayed with a lot of humour, which was contagious and refreshing in its time, and is still quite fresh in memory, in addition to the idiosyncratic performances, the settings and the locations, that helped to reproduce a bygone era quite effectively. Set around 1935-1940, in the pre-independence era of India, the story of ‘Hanumanor Sadhu’ depicts an unusual rural incident, although imaginary, which actually lies at it’s very heart when the British Raj was at its apogee and the lengths to which obsequious flatterers would go to suck up to the whims and fancies of the white sahib. The story mocks the vested interests of a section of the society’s opportunists and their sycophantic politics. Although set during the pre-independence times, the story is as relevant today as it was then. 

Not surprisingly, the serial was repeatedly shown on Doordarshan on popular demand.

This movie version is being produced by noted producer Mrinal Bin Qutub under the banner of Jeuti Production. The screenplay and dialogues have been penned by Pabitra Kumar Deka and Prabin Hazarika. The story expansion is by Prabin Hazarika. 

After wrapping up the shooting, the film is now undergoing post-production work in full measure. Edited by Niranjan Gogoi, the film’s cinematography is done by Minakshy Bhagawaty and Jiten Boro, and the music is scored by Manash Hazarika. Shot in various locations including Kujidah of Hatichung in Nagaon district, Phulaguri, Petborha, Jakaruwa, Mahgarh, Dhemaji village among others, the film features more than 30 actors playing different characters. The various roles in ‘Hanumanor Sadhu’ are enacted by Upakul Bordoloi, Hiranya Deka, Bill Richmond (Shillong), Babul Bhagawati, Jiten Bora, Bhabajit Kumar Saikia, Ashru Moni Bora, Suagmoni Mahanta, Mousam (Nipu) Bora, Utpal Kalita, Dulon Bora, Prakash Bora, Riya Goswami, Susmita Saikia, Kumud Medhi, Manorama Saikia, Monalisha Deka, Prarthana Saikia, Mithu Hazarika, Priyam Saikia, Ripon Bagish, Dibyajyoti Medhi, Priyam Kalita, Pabitra Kakati, Arup Deka, Kaushik Saikia, Manoranjan Nath, Krishna Deka, Poran Das, Deva Bordoloi, etc. 

The film’s chief assistant director is Indra Mohan Das, assistant director is Manash Gogoi. The film’s production controller is Parama Hazarika. 

Prabin Hazarika, who established himself as a filmmaker with a distinctive quality, emerged into the scene with the documentary ‘Hastir Kanya’, based on the life and works of legendary folk singer Pratima Barua Pandey, which won the National Award for best biographical film in 1997. ‘Hastir Kanya’ was followed by ‘Sringkhal’ in 2014, which was based on a short story by Dr Bhabendra Nath Saikia of the same name. Both the films earned him substantial critical praise for their executions and visual aesthetics, which is strong and distinctive. 

In ‘Hanumanor Sadhu’, every effort has been made to entertain and to create an enjoyable atmosphere for the audience. As informed by Hazarika, it’s a story that can be enjoyed by both the old and the young audience. Through this satirical movie, the filmmaker wants the public to identify and prevent the cycle of social destruction. 

One thing for sure is that this movie will be a refreshing change from the usual potboilers that the public is often served. Keeping in view the business aspect of Assamese cinema, this nearly 100-minute movie has a strong potential to be released in April.