Critically acclaimed Assamese feature film Dikchow Banat Palaax, which was released on September 30 across theatres in Assam, has been selected for Indian Panorama at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) to be held from November 20, 2016. IFFI is held in Goa in November annually and it attracts film aficionados from across the globe.
As per an official release, 26 feature films and 21 non-feature films (including the best feature and best non-feature films from 63rd National Film Awards, 2015), distinguished by cinematic, thematic and aesthetic excellence will feature in the Indian Panorama. Out of the films selected for Indian Panorama, two will be nominated for the Competition Section of 47th International Film Festival of India.
Produced by Assam Film (Finance & Development) Corporation Ltd and Utpal Kumar Das of Canvascope, Dikchow Banat Palaax was written, scripted and directed by National Award winning filmmaker Sanjib Sabhapandit. It is worth mentioning that it is the only Assamese language film to be selected for Indian Panorama 2016. The list includes Baahubali (Teelugu), Loktak Lairembee (Manipuri), Onaatah (Khasi), Bajirao Mastani, Airlift and Sultan.
Sanjib Sabhapandit, director of Dikchow Banat Palaax, says, “Selection to Indian Panorama is a very satisfying achievement. The selected films will represent the country as the bests of Indian cinema for one year all over the world. It will travel across the globe carrying a slice of Indian culture. This year the competition was very tough with films of giants like Adoor Gopalkrishnan, Girish Kasarvalli etc in the fray.
Our film has a wide human dimension and it is set in the backdrop of two culturally and anthropologically distinct people although they are neighbours. I believe, a refreshingly new story, a good script, superlative acting, brilliant camera work, authentic sound design and above all a very good team work that led to a good production design resulted in this glory.”
Commenting on the selection of the film to be screened at the reputed film festival, Utpal Kumar Das, executive producer of the film, said, “I really feel proud that Dikchow Banat Palaax has been selected for Indian Panorama. Among the three films produced by Canvascope so far, this is our second film to be selected in Indian Panorama. The entire credit for our success goes to the team Dikchow Banat Palaax. I would specially like to thank to my director Sanjib Sabhapandit and veteran actor Kulada Bhattacharjee for making this project successful.”
Dikchow Banat Palaax explores the relationship of a freedom fighter and a Naga woman through decades of separation. Set in 1946, the film portrays the journey of a young Assamese man, who is banished from his home district by the British empire, as he wanders to the Naga Hills. Love blooms and a Naga damsel gave him a few coins for his sustenance. But the love birds get separated, until the protagonist recollects memories of his past in the year 2000, when he decides to revisit the place just to return those coins to the lady.
Veteran actor Kulada Kumar Bhattacharjee is seen in a pivotal role in the feature film. Besides, Naga actress Lolenla Ao, Chikmik, and Mala Goswami are also featured in the movie. The cinematography is done by Parasher Baruah and music direction by Anurag Saikia.
Canvascope, a film production banner by Utpal Kumar Das, has produced many critically acclaimed feature films like Jaangfaai Joonaak, Jeeyaa Jurir Xubaax and several short films and documentaries. An engineer and real estate businessman, Das is also an art enthusiastic and has promoted several art projects.
The movies selected for the Indian Panorama will also be featured in various international film festivals, film weeks, Indian Panorama festivals and other non-commercial screenings, within the country and abroad at the discretion of the Directorate of Film Festivals.
