Skip to content Skip to navigation

‘Burkha – The Veil’ creates waves at Kolkata International Film Festival

By Prantik Deka |

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 'Burkha – The Veil' was screened in the 'Competition on Indian Language Films' category at the Kolkata International Film Festival on Thursday, December 5.  Director Hiren Bora also attended the press conference, which took place at Nandan's press corner the next day.

The filmmaker has previously made films that convey thought-provoking stories, covering topics that everyone in the audience can relate to and sympathise with.

One thing is apparent about Hiren Bora's films: he remembers social responsibility and depicts society on film. Bora’s debut film, the critically acclaimed ‘Basundhara – The Earth’ bagged the Rajat Kamal award for Best Feature Film in Assamese in 2009. It was screened as an official entry at the festival circuits in London, Nottingham, Canada and in Mumbai, Pune, New Delhi and Goa. His next film  ‘Khobh – The Anguish’, made in 2014, became only the second Assamese film after Dr. Bhabendra Nath Saikia’s ‘Sandhyaraag’ in 1977 to be selected to participate at the prestigious Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2015. His 2019’s ‘Seema – the untold story’ was selected to various prestigious film festivals.

His most recent offering – ‘Burkha – The Veil’ is another socially conscious film. “I wanted to bring a true story to life on screen,” he said.

“The shooting experience was fantastic. We worked in Muslim-majority areas without encountering any difficulties at all. I am grateful to everyone.”

Hiren Bora was highly encouraged by the local residents of the region, who were predominantly Muslims. His sole motive behind its making was to question the poor medical and educational facilities of the interior villages of the northeastern part of India. He hopes to change and improve the existing system through this film.

For Bora, ‘Burkha – The Veil’ is “a journey from darkness to light.” The film revolves around Reshma, an eighth-grade student, who hails from a small village located on the banks of the river Brahmaputra. Her father Aminul is adamant that she marry young and have children rather than pursue her education. Additionally, a lecherous village elder wants to make Reshma his fourth wife. Reshma’s wishes get fulfilled when Hafeez, an honest teacher, admits her to his school. However, Hafeez becomes the target of the unscrupulous old man’s conspiracy. Reshma finally emerges from the shadows of darkness to the light of knowledge after receiving encouragement from a few young people in the village.

The film portrays various hurdles encountered by Reshma in her journey and how she navigates pre-established societal stereotypes and pressures. Hiren Bora’s films address socio-economic development issues, and this film is consistent with his vision. He emphasises the social element of the story more than the religious markings. Bora reckons Burkha to be a symbol of discrimination and oppression.

The various roles in the film are played by Rodali Bora, Jatin Khanikar, Durgashri Borah, Adrita Parasha Mahanta, Dipankar Bora, etc. Based on a story by Jitumoni Bora, the film is produced and directed by Hiren Bora under the banner of ‘Suravi Enterprise’. The screenplay is written by Naren Patgiri, music is scored by Tarali Sarma, cinematography is handled by Papu Deka, editing is executed by Dipak Mandal, while the film’s chief assistant director is Malay Roy, VFX works are by Abhijit Handique, costumes are provided by Rosy Bora, makeup by Nyumme Kamse and art direction is by Pankaj Bezbaruah.

A noted writer, director, stage actor, and screenwriter, Hiren Bora has written a number of short stories. Bora began his independent career by producing and directing television dramas in Hindi, English, and Assamese. He has also produced radio plays for All India Radio and documentaries for Doordarshan and other television channels.

Hiren Bora’s other films waiting for theatrical release includes the Rabha language feature ‘Nasimay’ (Darling), which was officially selected for screening at the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival in the ‘Unheard India: Rare Language Indian Film’ category, as well as the film ‘Baahi – the flute’, based on popular writer Monikuntala Bhattacharya’s much appreciated novel.

 

 

 

 

 

  • 12544 reads

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

Rd Burman Memorial Music Competition On January 5

An all-round musician and a trendsetter, RD Burman, better known as ‘Pancham da’, was one of the most prolific music directors that India had ever produced. The iconic music maestro revolutionized the music scene in the country forever.  It’s heartening to know that music lovers of the city will get a rare opportunity to relive the evergreen compositions of the legendary RD. A music competition on the occasion of RD Burman’s 25th death anniversary, organised under the aegis of North East RD Burman Fan Club, is scheduled to be held on January 5 at the District Library in Guwahati. The winning contestants stand to gain cash prizes, certificates and a trophy. There will be separate...

Raas leela celebration concludes

As with the previous years, this year too, the husband-wife duo of Basanta  Kumar Baruah and Bobby Sarma Baruah successfully organised Raas Leela from November 23 to 25, under the banner of BB Creation on a grand scale at the Srimanta Sankaradeva International Auditorium, of the Sankaradeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati. Besides entertaining, the cultural extravaganza, which has contributed immensely in building intercommunity bridges in Assam, celebrated its 10-year anniversary this year. It all started in the year 2011, with the participation of Bodo, Karbi, Deuri, Mising and tea tribe communities, performing Raas in their own dialects. This year, too, the artistes of the Asom Nepali Natya...

Puppet show performed in Port Blair

Puppet dance, popularly known as 'Potola Nach', was once the most popular form of entertainment, especially for children, but the tradition has struggled to survive against the onslaught of modern popular culture.  For some years now, people in the State have been able to enjoy the ancient art form of puppetry due to the tireless efforts of the artistic couple, master puppeteers Binita Devi and Simanta Sarma. This couple has invested a great deal in reviving this art form with their clever and refreshing approach by adopting new but simple techniques, enacting stories through glove puppetry that act as a bridge between the child’s world and that of the adult.  It has also...

New documentary ‘slaughtered dream’ released

‘Slaughtered Dream’ (Understanding Woman & Child Trafficking in Assam), a documentary film on women and child trafficking was screened to immense praise and appreciation at the Jyoti Chitraban in Guwahati recently.  In a clarion call that compel us to take a sharp look at one of the most striking human rights abuses which has been going on in our backyard, the documentary recounts the harrowing experiences of a number of women, children and the destitute in general.  A first-hand accounts and stories of survivors, victims' families and alleged traffickers, this documentary film is a clarion call. Sonapur-based Reema Teron, a survivor of human trafficking, describes the...

New short film Not My Thing released

Women’s participation in the work force has increased over the years, yet, a healthy percentage of the female employees have also had to constantly endure sexual harassment and abuse at the hands of their employers, leading to an oppressive environment in the workplace. Many women prefer to suffer silently over the injustices committed against them, out of fear of losing their jobs. At times, when they do speak up, they are often met by apathetic superiors and colleagues.  A healthy public awareness about the issue of sexual harassment may, perhaps, help prevent its recurrence, which prompted Partha Bharadwaj to produce an Assamese short film - ‘Not my Thing’, that celebrates the...

Natasurya Drama Fest Concludes Successfully

Without doubt, this year’s Natasurya Drama Festival has turned out to be the most outstanding one since its inception. The 23rd edition of the event, organised by Natasurya Memorial Celebration Committee in association with the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Assam, from August 1 to 7, treated the audience to a weeklong theatre festival at the Sri Sri Madhab Dev International Auditorium and Srimanta Sankaradeva International Auditorium, Kalakshetra, Guwahati.  I was highly impressed with the quality of plays this year, distinguished by their singular artistry and aesthetics. One could notice a sea of change and obvious professionalism in the use of sound, make-up, costume and...

Short film: Kio Eman Humoniyah

A new short film 'Kio Eman Humoniyah', inspired by real life stories of people who have succumbed to drugs, depression and alcoholism, has been creating waves in social media. Directed by Prasant Saikia of ‘Rum Vodka Whisky’-fame, the musical takes a look at the epidemic of addiction in our society where a lot of young people are overwhelmed by drug and alcohol addiction, resulting in severe anxiety and panic attacks.  The film emphasises on the importance of compassion and fellow feeling. Many lives can be saved if we pay heed to the quiet whispers of those who are suffering and those struggling to liberate themselves from the grip of addiction. It is those very affected who...

Rebel filmmaker Shankar Borua

Shankar Borua is an independent filmmaker from Assam who has continued making cinema with a distinct sensibility and incorporates the voices of the many communities that make up the State. Even though you never went to film school, what inspired you to pursue this line of writing as well as directing indie films? My initial foray into the world of motion pictures began, I believe, when I was a little boy growing up in my hometown Duliajan in Upper Assam. My father, active with the Duliajan Film Society, back in the seventies, would have us kids watch wildlife movies playing off a 16mm projector at home. The cans, the screen, and the projector would occasionally be parked at our residence...

D Day for Piano Kids

GUWAHATI:            The State’s leading music institute Piano Kids celebrated its sixth anniversary with an evening of exhilarating piano music performed by a group of talented youngsters in chic costumes at the Pragjyoti Cultural Complex, Machkhowa, Guwahati, on April 6. The combined musical energy of these kids truly lived up to the expectations and interests among music aficionados. The musical programme, designed and directed by renowned piano maestro Kushal Krishna Dev Goswami, was titled ‘Night Of The Little Pianists 2018’.             After a welcome speech by Dr Pradip...

Sattriya rendering towards perfection

Recently, the audience at the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra’s Sri Sri Madhabdev International Auditorium were treated to an evening of Sattriya Oja pali - 'Sampurna Apaal Poda Gowa', which was enacted for the first time by an all-female troupe, led by the versatile Sattriya exponent Kashmiri Hazarika Kakati, in the august presence of eminent scholars, gurus and danseuses, including renowned danseuse and Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr. Sonal Mansingh. Presented by Krishnam, the evening also saw the presentation of the Mahapurush Sri Sri Sankardeva-Sri Sri Madhavdeva Award 2017.             On the occasion, Dr Mansingh, highly impressed...