LIGHT! CAMERA! AND BHUPEN HAZARIKA
--by: Utpal Mena
In many contexts Bhupen Hazarika talked on his own movies, those he directed. He himself analysed his own movies. The below is the edited version of his recorded interview where he described the films he directed.
'Era Bator Xur' (The notes of the lost path)(1956): Directed by Bhupen Hazarika/ Priyam Hazarika; Story and Music: Bhupen Hazarika Cast: Bijay Sjhankar, Ibha Asao,Phani Sarma, Balraj Sahani, Anil Das, Tasadduk Usuf and others.
About the film:
Nightingle of India Lata Mangeskar sang: "Jonakare Rati.." in this film. It is worth mentioning that this is the only Assamese film song that Lataji ever sang. Moreover another famous song of Bhupen Hazarika Saagar Sangamot... has been included in the film. Famous director Hrishikesh Mukharjee directed the film.
There are some thoughts which can't be reflected through a song or a poem. I had a passion to cinema. So I thought those ideas which I could not reflect through my songs. Why should I not try my hand in cinema so that I can represent my thoughts through this medium also! So I thought, why should not I make a film! Many big film personalities like Hrishikesh Mukharjee inspired me. This film is the result of these inspirations.
Mahut Bandhu Re (1958):
Directed by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Screen Play Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Music Direction-Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.
About the film: The film was made in Bengali Language. He is the second Assamese after Pramathesh Barua to make a Bengali Film.
What Bhupenda said about the film:
The main motto of making of this film is to establish folk songs of Goalpara in the world.
Shakuntala (1961):
Producer Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. Director/ Music Dierctor: Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. Starring: Phani Sarma, Pabitra Kakati, Ibha Asao, Anita Devi, Devbala Chaliha, Khagen Mahanta, Bidya Rao, Dheren Das, Rebeka Asao, Dilip Choudhury, Tanu Aao, Kulada Kumar Bhattacharya, Dinkar Rao, Krishna Das, Neimuddin.
About the film:
It was the first screen play of Kalidas' historic creation 'Abhigyan Shakuntalam'. The film received President's Award. It is the first partly coloured feature film in Assamese. Bidya Rao was the child artist in this film.
What Bhupenda said about the film:
While I read Shakuntala, I was so involved that I thought of making a film on this subject. After completing half a portion of the film I thought this is a colourful story, so from half I made this film coloured.
Pratidhwani: (1965)
Producer Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Direction/Music Dr,. Bhupen Hazarika. Starring: Bishnu Prasad Rabha, Phani Sarma, Ibha Asao, Bidya Rao, Pabitra Barkakati, Ranjana Bordaloi, Krishna Das, Swagata Chakravarty, Kamal Choudhury, Niroda Bhuyan, Manik Das, Tarun Duwara, Subha Barua, Sarat Das, Dhiraj Das, Hiramoni Goswami, Ananda Bhagawati etc.
About the Film:
India's famous singers Tatal Mamood and Suman Kalyanpu sang in this film. The film has been dubbed to Khasi language as KACHARATI. The film was awarded as Presidents Silver Medal and it was screened in France Film Festival.
What Bhupen Hazarika said about the film: A love story. Folklore of Khasi people. It's a love story of legendery lover Manik Raitang. This love stories moved me very much. I could see a bonding between the people of hills (of Meghalaya) and valley (of Assam). As it could not be possible to depict the immortal love story though."
Loti Ghoti: (1966)
Producer Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Direction Music Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. Starring: Bijoy Shankar, Bidya rao Kulada kr. Bhattacharya, Ratna Ojha, Sarat Das, Jayanta Hazarika, Hari Narayan Das, Manisha Sen Gupta, Johor Roy, Nripen Chatterjee, Baby Gupta, Sadhana Patel etc.
About the film:
It's a comic film. Serious and sorrowful story depicted nicely in a very light and comic way. A song of this film was sang by famous singer Md. Rafi. Jayanta Hazarika and Manisha Sen Gupta played the main role in this film and this film too received President's silver medal.
What Bhupen Hazarika said about the film:
I remember, I saw a foreign film. A comic one. I too desired to make a comic film...
Chikmik Bijuli: (1969)
Directed by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika; Music: Bhupen Hazarika. Starring Bidya Rao, Bijay Shankar, Kulada Kr. Bhattacharya, Tasdduk Yusuf, Ruma Guhathakurata, Shashanka Som, Dost Habibur Rahman..
About the film:
Bollywood's famous singers Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle sang in this film. The song 'mrityu savoti samadhi..' by Jayanta hazarika got huge appreciation.
What Bhupen Hazarika said about the film:
Grief and happiness of a common man had been reflected in this film. All the characters in this film are real and somewhere, some time I met them.
Mera dharam, Meri maa (1975):
Direction and music by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. Starring: Bengia Mala, HN Tata, Droni...
About the film:
It is the first colour hindi movie made in Arunachal Pradesh. A student from Arunachal Pradesh wrote the screenplay, and story of the film, which was given to Bhupen Hazarika later.
What Bhupenda said about the film:
It took the responsibility of making this film only because of Arunachal Pradesh Guwahati.
Mon prajapati 1979:
Direction/music-Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. Starring-Bhabesh Barua, Gayatri Dutta, Meena, Hiren Choudhury, Kamal Narayan Choudhury, Hemen Rajkhowa, Nirada Bhuya, Jiten Sarma.
About the film:
The story of the film is on the life style of people working in circus, their sorrow, happiness, love etc. were the main characteristics of the film. Asha Bhosle sang a song in this film.
What Bhupen Hazarika said about the film: Once I met a worker of a circus party. In our conversation he said about their life style, happiness, sorrow etc. This meeting inspired me to make a film on this subject matter.
Siraj: 1988
Direction and music by Bhupen Hazarika. Starring; Nipan Goswami, Mridula Barua,Purabi Sarma, Rupak Barua, Parag Chaliha, Mirel Kuddus, Bharati Deka, Mamoni Saikia, Diganta Barua, Deben Bhuyan.
About the film:
This film was a remake of film 'Siraj' made by Bishnu Rabha and Phani Sarma on 16th January of 1948.
What Bhupen Hazarika said about the film:
While the film was made by Bishnu Kakaideo and his team, some peculiar thought came to my mind. I remembered all and finally one day decided to remake the film so that new generation can also know about the message of 'Siraj".
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