Skip to content Skip to navigation

Shankar Barua's film 'Rongeen’ to release on Mar 15

At long last, the people of Assam will get to savour the beautiful colours and electrifying music of the widely awaited Assamese film ‘RONGEEN’. Scheduled for a March 15 theatrical release, the people of Assam are expected to throng the movie theaters to watch  ‘RONGEEN’ this election season. 

In director Shankar Borua's words: "RONGEEN is a political musical with 8 songs, primarily what we would call as Assamese rap music. The content is fairly local and reflective of the political mood on the ground in Assam at this moment, just the right time to take this powerful movie with a strong political message to the people of Assam. A down-and-out guy who manages singers for a living gets an Assamese rapper to defeat his arch enemy in a bye-election to settle an old personal score – that is ‘RONGEEN’ (Colourful) in one line." 

A unique cinematic experiment conducted by Borua, ‘RONGEEN’ will also showcase rapper Kussum Koilash in his first movie appearance. 

Borua further said: "I feel this is precisely the time for ‘RONGEEN’ to hit the theaters, before the elections coupled with the political situation on the ground here in Assam."

A compelling and uplifting narrative, ‘RONGEEN’, set in rural Assam, is a simple tale of a wronged man seeking justice through participatory democracy. Domboru Borbora (played by Upamanyu Boruwa) with the help of Assamese rapper Pobitro Sonowal (played by Kussum Koilash) and Middle English (M.E.) school teacher Digombor Rajkhowa (played by Ranjit Baruah) makes the devious Puna Saikia (played by Hiren Sarma) eat humble pie. 

“It is essentially a David versus Goliath tale where an ordinary guy from a humble background, in his effort to avenge an old wound inflicted on his family, attempts an extra-ordinary feat by taking on a powerful guy in a bye-election in the interiors of Upper Assam," said Borua.

“I ventured to craft it as a musical to reach out to a wider audience across the length and breadth of Assam,” said Borua. “Music is a fantastic vehicle not just to deliver a political message overtly but also to showcase the splendour of this beautiful land – Assam,” Borua adds. 

Born and raised in Duliajan, independent filmmaker Shankar Borua has continued making cinema with a distinct sensibility and a signature style, working largely guerrilla-style with non-actors and extremely low budgets. As an actor, he goes by the screen name Upamanyu Boruwa and has played the lead in all his recent films – ‘Grief on a Sunday Morning’ (alongside the legendary Biju Phukan), ‘The Curiosity Shop’ and now, ‘Rongeen’ (Colourful). 

 

Shankar Borua and Kussum Koilash
Author info

Prantik Deka's picture

Prantik Deka. Email: prantikdeka@gmail.com

Add new comment

Assamese Translator

Assam Times seeks English to Assamese translators!
Join our volunteer team.
Email editor@assamtimes.org.

Random Stories

3 cops arrested for molestation charge in Tura

3 Jan 2014 - 6:58pm | Saidul Khan
A minor girl aged about 12 years was alleged molested by cops at Araimile locality in Tura, which has raised a huge hue and cry. The victims' family have filed an FIR, prompting the Superintendent of...

AASU rally at Raha against power cut

11 May 2012 - 7:48pm | Dibya J Borthakur
The Raha unit of All Assam Students’ Union ( AASU ) today took out a rally at Raha on Thursday, in protest against the frequent power cut at Raha and its neighbouring areas. The rally started...

American senator raises NRC issue

23 Oct 2019 - 12:19am | AT News
At what point do we question whether PM Modi shares our values? Kashmiris have been restricted from communicating outside their country for 50+ days. In Assam, almost 2 million people are being...

Bizzare incident in book fair

14 Nov 2013 - 8:15pm | AT News
In yet another incident that touches off seismic waves of protest and anger across the state, the temporary statue of Laxminath Bezbarua was romoved on Thursday. The statue, installed as a...

Other Contents by Author

The Assamese film ‘Burkha – The Veil’ provided an unique cinematic experience for both audiences and critics at the ongoing Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF), which runs from December 4 to 11, 2024. The film has been selected for the National Competition on Indian Languages Section at the 30th edition of the festival. ‘Burkha – The Veil’s director, Hiren Bora, is thrilled by the audiences’ response to his film. The Kolkata International Film Festival has been a major cultural event for Kolkata’s residents, shaping generations of moviegoing audiences’ experience of cinema. It’s a festival for those who appreciate films, filmmaking, and artistic expression. The Assamese film '...
Guwahati: The much-anticipated web series, "Scam 2019," unveiled its official teaser recently. The event, graced by popular actor Jatin Bora, also saw the presence of Maytrayee Goswami, Yankee Parasar, Aabhijeet Sharma, RK, Dhrubajyoti Talukdar, and Manik Roy. Producer Aabhijeet Sharma expressed excitement about the teaser release, announcing that the official trailer will be out on November 24th, coinciding with the 24th anniversary of Assam Public Works (APW). The series itself is slated for a December 24th release on the 18+ OTT platform, Red Cinemas 18+. Red Cinemas 18+, the region's first 18+ Assamese OTT platform, will stream the series with multilingual subtitles, targeting...
After the critical acclaim and awards for his documentary "Veerangana," Guwahati-based filmmaker Kishore Kalita is making waves with his new project, "Letters From Vietnam." This travelogue through the Southeast Asian country has been officially selected for the Max Sir International Film Festival 2024 in Costa Rica. Kalita's journey through Vietnam captured the country's stunning landscapes, historical landmarks, and vibrant culture. From the serene Halong Bay to the bustling city of Hanoi, the film showcases the diverse experiences and insights gained during his visit. "It was a spiritually moving experience to visit and film such fascinating places in Vietnam," Kalita said. "The...
Breaking barriers, the Assamese film "The Last Honour" has embarked on a global journey, captivating audiences worldwide. This powerful feature film, based on the true story penned by renowned writer Jitumoni Bora, chronicles an extraordinary life during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film recently premiered at the Himachal International Film Festival, where director Rosy Bora, in her directorial debut, received the Best Director award. The film itself garnered rave reviews from both the jury and the audience. Produced by Mrinal Bin Qutub under the Jeuti Production banner, "The Last Honour" has secured a spot in over 15 national and international film festivals, winning multiple...
The 106th birth anniversary of legendary Assamese musician Purushottam Das was recently observed in a glittering function organised by the Amguri Puberun Cultural Organisation of Sivasagar district and Sangeet Khanikor Purushottam Das Smriti Raksha Samiti, Guwahati, in collaboration with the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Govt of Assam, at the premises of Amguri Auniatia Hemchandra Dev Higher Secondary School. The function started off with the lighting of the traditional lamp by the principal of the school, Amarjyoti Borthakur, who delivered a brief speech. The state's eminent music director and composer Ramen Choudhury, who is an adviser of the Smriti Raksha Samiti, laid a wreath at the...
Guwahati: The trailer and poster for 'Baruar Xongxar' (The House of Baruas), a documentary highlighting the renowned Assam-type house at Latasil in Guwahati and its influential occupants, were released on November 11, 2023. The 71-minute film, directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Utpal Borpujari, will have its world premiere at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa, under the Indian Panorama section. The poster and trailer launch, attended by legendary musician Ramen Barua and eminent singer Dwipen Barua, took place at the centennial house. Producers Nayan Prasad, Jemini Phukan, and Dibyajyoti Saharia, from Surjya and Jemini Phukan Production, joined the event...
Guwahati: The timeless Assamese classic 'Auto-Rickshaw Chalao Ami Duyu Bhai', originally penned and composed by legendary musician Dr Bhupen Hazarika in the 1970s, has been revitalized with the release of a new music video titled 'Dignity of Labour.' Directed by Ashok Bora and produced by Pranabjyoti Neog, the video was officially launched at the Guwahati Press Club on November 5, commemorating Dr Bhupen Hazarika's 12th death anniversary. Notable personalities, including novelist Leena Sharma, Manoj Saikia, chairman of Assam Livestock and Poultry Corporation, and vocalist Mausumi Saharia, attended the event. The original song, sung by Dr Bhupen Hazarika and his brother Jayanta...
Assam down town University, a leading private educational institution in North East India, is set to introduce an Undergraduate Certificate Program in Film Appreciation, aiming to enrich students' aesthetic and entertainment perspectives. The meticulously designed six-month course will impart fundamental knowledge about the art of filmmaking and emphasize the critical appreciation of cinema. Dr. N. C. Talukdar, the Vice-Chancellor of Assam down town University, mentioned that the course will initially be accessible to university students. Following the initial phase, the program will be extended to external students, film enthusiasts, and professionals within the film industry. Dr....
Joydeep Goswami, a composer and singer from Assam, has made a striking debut as a film producer with his Hindi movie ‘Ginti’ (The Countdown). The psychological horror thriller has received critical acclaim at film festivals globally, including the Cannes Film Festival 2023 and the Lift-Off Film Festival 2023. The film explores the mind of a contract killer struggling with schizophrenia. It's directed by M Durga Prasad and praised for its gripping narrative. Goswami is well-known for his music career, with popular albums and singles under his belt. He established his production house JD Motion Pictures, and with the help of a talented creative team, brought the idea for ‘Ginti’ to life....
A launch event was held in Guwahati to celebrate the release of Saurav Kumar Das's latest book, "Jalukbarit Mur Xunuwali Otit". Dr. Amarjyoti Choudhury, former Vice-Chancellor of Gauhati University, released the book during the ceremony. The book is an autobiographical memoir of the author's memories of the 1970s spent in Jalukbari, also known as the country of Krishnachura. Dr. Amarjyoti Choudhury, in his keynote speech, praised the author's ability to capture the essence of the bygone era and show reverence to Gauhati University. He also mentioned the opportunity for authors to enter the new literature that is being produced globally through writing such an autobiographical work....