Filmmaker Kenny Basumatary’s latest directorial ‘Jiya’, produced by Sarmistha Chakravorty, has secured a massive 16 nominations at the latest 2024 edition of Prag Cine Awards.
‘Jiya’ has got 16 nominations at the prestigious film awards – including Best Film, Best Director (Kenny Basumatary), Best Actor Male (Reeky Sharma), Best Actor Female (Sarmistha Chakravorty), Best Supporting Actor Male (Udayan Duarah Udy), Best Supporting Actor Female (Eepsita Hazarika), Best Music Director (Ambar Das), Best Background Score (Ambar Das) and Best Singer Male (Angarag Papon Mahanta).
The film also secured two Best Singer Female nominations – Maitrayee Patar, Sarmistha Chakravorty – along with nominations for Best Costume Design (Eepsita Hazarika), Best Editor (Raktim Ranjan Basumatary), Best Lyricist (Swapna Jyoti Thengal), Best Child Actor (Aradhya Mahanta) and Best Screenplay & Dialogue (Kenny Basumatary & Sarmistha Chakravorty).
Written and produced by Sarmistha Chakravorty, ‘Jiya’ is about a young woman (Jiya) who having escaped an abusive marriage, navigates the challenges of single motherhood with her daughter Nupur. Struggling against societal judgment, Jiya conceals her vulnerability behind a resilient façade. Pallavi, her steadfast friend, becomes a crucial pillar of support. Jiya leaves a toxic job only to find solace in Pallavi’s workplace, where she encounters the courteous Abhi. What happens next?
“Jiya is my first attempt as a producer and a script writer. This is really overwhelming for us that our first venture has received total 16 nominations in prestigious Prag Cine Awards 2024. We are really looking forward to the final declaration,” said writer, actor and producer Sarmistha Chakravorty.
Speaking about the nominations, director Kenny Basumatary said: “I had definitely expected nominations for Sarmistha’s superlative performance and for the music, but 16 nominations is a huge pleasant surprise.”
The film premiered in front of a packed audience at the 8th Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival at Jyoti Chitraban on December 15, 2023.
Speaking about her debut as a film producer, Sarmistha Chakravorty said: “At first, it was just a small dream of acting in a serious role. Since I have so many single mother friends around me, I thought of writing a script based on that. Then I somehow managed the expenditure needed for the shoot. With the help of selfless support from Kenny and our team, we managed to shoot the film. Actually, I got support from everyone. From Angarag Papon Mahanta, Shankuraj Konwar, Maitrayee Patar, Chandana Pathak, Raj Dweep, Swapna Jyoti Thengal, Eepsita Hazarika to each and everyone involved. Music production was done free of cost at home since my husband Ambar Das has composed, produced the songs and did the background score. This is how I could manage. Making of this film was possible only because of the unconditional love and support I received from everyone.”
The music of the film is by Ambar Das, DOP Suruj Deka and Editor Raktim Ranjan Basumatary. The lead cast includes Sarmistha Chakravorty, Reeky Sharma, Eepsita Hazarika and child actor Aradhya Mahanta.
The other supporting cast includes: Udayan Duarah, Monuj Borkotoky, Podmarag Goswami, Amitabh Rajkhowa, Mala Goswami, Parani Choudhury, Kaushik Bharadwaj, Siddhartha Mukherjee, Audrey Hatibarua, Arif Ali, Mintu Barua, Prayash Tamuly, Tultul Baruah, Anuska Kashyap, Renu Devi Chakraborty, Ashru Moni Borah, Birina Pathak Chakraborty, Joyeeta Sen, Daisy Barman, Gayatri Sharma, Bibhash Sinha, Ambar Das and Pratyush Baruah.
Among other, the crew includes assistant director Arindom Kashyop, line producer Anupam Baishya, production manager Bibhas Sinha, costume by Eepsita Hazarika, makeup by Zara Zya, color by Abhisek Narayan Sharma and Raktim Ranjan Basumatari, poster by Dhanjit Das, dialogues and screenplay by Kenny Basumatary and Sarmistha Chakravorty.
The film is expected to release in theatres soon.
