Assamese cinema

History

1930s

The origins of Assamese cinema can be traced back to Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala, who was also a noted poet, playwright, composer and freedom fighter. He was instrumental in the production of the first Assamese Film Joymati in 1935, under the banner of Chitralekha Movietone. Aideu Handique was the heroine of this movie. Due to the lack of trained technicians, Jyotiprasad, while making his maiden film, shouldered the added responsibilities as the scriptwriter, producer, director, choreographer, editor, set and costume designer, lyricist, and music director. The film, completed with a budget of 60,000 rupees was released on 10 March 1935. The picture failed. Like so many early Indian films, the negatives and complete prints of Joymati are missing. Hridaynath Agarwala restored a few reels of the film, and he donated them to the government of Assam. Altaf Mazid subtitled whatever was left of the prints, added narration to it, and killed the film's background music. Critic Bitopan Borbora protested that devastating act. Despite the significant financial loss from Joymati, the second picture Indramalati was filmed between 1937 and 1938 finally released in 1939. Pramathesh Barua released his Assamese version of Devdas in 1937. It was the last of the 3 language version following Bengali and Hindi.

1940s

Agarwala made another film after a gap of two years, titled Indramalati. It was his second and last film. The eminent composer and singer of Assam, Bhupen Hazarika, played a prominent role in the film. With the passing away of Jyotiprasad, the Assamese film industry witnessed a temporary lull for a couple of years.

However, things changed with the onset of World War II. Taking advantage of the situation, Rohini Kr. Baruah made a film on a relevant historical theme titled Manomati (1941). This was followed by films such as Parvati Prasad Baruwa’s Rupahi (1946), Kamal Narayan Choudhury’s Badan Barphukan (1947), Phani Sarma’s Siraj, Asit Sen’s Biplabi, Prabin Phukan’s Parghat, and Suresh Goswami’s Runumi.

1950s

In the 1950s, Piyoli Phukan won a National Award. The film was produced by Gama Prasad Agarwalla under the banner of Rup Jyoti Productions. It was directed by Phani Sharma, with music composed by Bhupen Hazarika. The story depicted the life of freedom fighter Piyoli Phukan, who revolted against British rule and was executed for treason. The film was considered technically advanced for its time.

In 1955, a new talent, Nip Barua, made his directorial debut with Smrit Paras. His subsequent films Mak Aaru Moram and Ranga Police won several state awards and silver medals at the national level. Bhupen Hazarika also produced and directed his first film, Era Bator Sur.

Prabhat Mukherjee made Puberun (1959), a film on the universality of motherhood, which was screened at the Berlin Film Festival.

1960s

Another notable film of the decade was Lachit Borphukan, directed by Sarbeswar Chakraborty. Bhupen Hazarika later made his musical Shakuntala (1961), which received critical acclaim and won the President’s Silver Medal.

Soon after, films began to be produced regularly. Notable works included Nip Barua’s Narakasur, Anil Choudhury’s Matri Swarga, Brojen Barua’s Itu Situ Bahuto, and Mukta and Anwar Hussain’s Tejimala.

By the mid-1960s, film production in Assam became more consistent. Between 1935 and 1970, a total of 62 Assamese films were produced. Filmmakers active during this period included Pravin Sharma, Saila Barua, Amar Pathak, Indukalpa Hazarika, Brajen Barua, Dibon Barua, Debkumar Basu, Amulya Manna, Gauri Barman, Atul Bardoloi, Sujit Singha, Nalin Duara, and Prafulla Barua.

1970s

During the period from 1970 to 1982, a total of 57 Assamese films were made. New directors began to emerge. Notable films include Samarendra Narayan Dev’s Aranya (1970), Kamal Choudhury’s Bhaity (1972, the first colour film of Assam), Manoranjan Sur’s Uttaran (1973), Prabin Bora’s Parinam (1974), Deuti Barua’s Bristi (1974), Pulok Gogoi’s Khoj (1974), Padum Barua’s Gonga Silonir Pakhi (1976), Bhabendranath Saikia’s Sandhya Raag (1977), and Atul Bordoloi’s Kollol (1978).

1980s

During the 1980s, the Assamese film industry experienced a slight period of decline, marked by reduced audience attendance, weak box-office performance, and an acute shortage of investment. As confidence among producers, distributors, and financiers diminished, film production slowed, and the industry’s economic presence within the state weakened. By the middle of the decade, Assamese cinema faced structural challenges that raised concerns about its long-term sustainability. In response to these conditions, a few pioneering film financiers and producers undertook efforts to stabilise and revitalise the industry by bearing significant financial risk through investment in feature films during this volatile period.

This movement was started in the mid 1980s by film producer Paran Barbarooah, a thriving industrialist who invested large sums of capital in the Assamese film industry. He financed feature film productions, assuming the full financial risk of these investments during unstable circumstances. The first feature film Barbarooah produced was Surooj, which is commonly regarded as the first big-budget Assamese film. Barbarooah allocated substantially greater funds to areas such as cinematography, sound, and overall technical execution, distinguishing it from most earlier releases. The film starring Brajen Bora, Abdul Majid, Pranjal Saikia, Dinesh Das, and Baharul Islam (who was launched in this film) achieved record-setting economic success and attracted significant public attention. It shattered all previous records and became the highest-grossing Assamese film by a large margin.

Contemporary media reports documented a massive crowd on the film’s opening day outside Anuradha Cinema Hall, where the anticipatory audience reportedly shattered the glass entrance to enter the hall.

Paran Barbarooah’s leap of faith with Surooj has often been interpreted as the defining moment which started the gradual shift in production strategy, with increased emphasis on higher budgets, improved technical standards, and broader audience reach. Alongside Barbarooah, other producers—Amulya Kakati, R.B. Mehta, and Dharmakanta Saikia—were also active during this phase, collectively participating in efforts to address the economic and institutional challenges facing Assamese filmmaking in the late 1980s.

1990s

The year 1990 marked a transition period in Assamese cinema. Filmmakers experimented with new themes, stronger realism and socially conscious storytelling. Several notable films were released, representing both established directors and emerging voices of the 1990s era.

2000s

The 2000s saw the rise of multiple notable directors - Bhaskar Hazarika (who directed Kothanodi and Aamis), Prerana Barbarooah (who directed Spirit of The Graceful Lineage, Tumi Aahibaane, Echoes of Sunshine, etc), Deep Choudhury (who directed Alifa and Fishing Samurai), Monjul Baruah (who directed Anur: Eyes on the Sunshine, Kaaneen, etc), etc.

2010s

The 2010s also saw the loss of many prominent personalities like director Munin Baruah, actor Biju Phukan, musician Bhupen Hazarika, who have played an important role in shaping Assamese cinema.

2018

In 2018, Village Rockstars won the Best Feature Film 'Swarna Kamal' award at the 65th National Film Awards in Delhi, hence becoming the second Assamese film after Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai to win this award. The film also won awards in the categories of Best Child Artist, Best Audiography and Best Editing. The film is also selected for India's official entry to 91st Academy Awards making it the first film from Assam to do this.

On 28 July 2018, another Assamese film Xhoixobote Dhemalite received three awards for Best Film, Best Actress and Best Music in 3rd Love International Film Festival in Los Angeles, US. The film also got 8 nominations. It also became the first Assamese film to release in the US.

2019

In 2019, two commercial hit movies were released. one is Kanchanjangha and another is Ratnakar.

Kanchanjangha, released on 5 September become the fastest Assamese film to cross the ₹1 crore mark by doing so in 4 days. The film also crossed the ₹2 crore mark within 1 week after its release. It collected total 7 crore rupees.

Ratnakar, released on 11 October became a hit and earned ₹90.5 lakh in 2 days. After one week of release it earned ₹3.31 crore rupees which is the highest gross for any Assamese cinema in one week. After two weeks it earned total ₹6.63 crore rupees, breaking all box office records of Assamese cinema. After six weeks it collected a total 10 crore. Ji Galpar Ses Nai was made in 2019 and yet to be released, is the first anthology film directed by Prodyut Kumar Deka, Prashant Saikia and Utpal datta.

2020

Kenny Basumatary directed the films Jiya, Local Utpaat and Local Kung Fu 3, which were mildly successful. Local Utpaat earned more than 1 Crore, becoming the fifth film to do so in Assamese cinema.

2021

In 2021, the Assamese film Bridge, directed by Kripal Kalita, received strong critical acclaim and performed well in limited theatrical release.

2022

In 2022, the romantic drama Emuthi Puthi attracted significant attention and saw success across Assam, marking a strong post-pandemic recovery for Assamese cinema.

2023

In 2023, Sri Raghupati became one of the most successful Assamese films of the decade, grossing more than ₹13 crore worldwide and setting multiple regional box-office records.

2024

In 2024, Local Utpaat, directed by Kenny Basumatary, continued its strong run at the box office and entered the ₹1-crore-plus club, becoming the fifth Assamese film to achieve this milestone.

2025

In 2025, Roi Roi Binale, the final film of Zubeen Garg, became the highest-grossing Assamese film of all time. The film broke all previous records, collecting more than ₹42 crore at the box office.

List of highest-grossing Assamese films

Assamese Short film

Assamese short films refer to the cinematic works produced in the Assamese language, predominantly originating from the northeastern state of Assam, India. These films, typically ranging from a few minutes to half an hour in duration, provide a platform for local filmmakers to tell engaging stories, explore social issues, and showcase Assamese culture and traditions.

Awards

Assam State Film Awards

Assam State Film Award is an award ceremony for Assamese Films in Guwahati.

Prag Cine Awards

Main article: Prag Cine Awards

Prag Cine Awards are presented annually by Prag News. The aim of the award is to give support, recognition and inspiration to the Assamese film industry and honour some of the eminent film personalities who have contributed to the cause of Assamese cinema. The award was first instituted in the year 2003. Starting from 2015, films produced in other Northeastern states were also honoured in this ceremony.

Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival

Main article: Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival

Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival is a homage to the rich culture of Northeast India. The festival is dedicated to the film fraternity of the Northeast region of India, especially Assam. It is an initiative for new filmmakers to come together and rediscover various aspects of film making. The film festival is in Guwahati, Assam, India annually since 2013. It is an initiative of Tattva Creations.

National Film Award

The prestigious National Award has been awarded to many Assamese Filmmakers, Munin Barua in 2004 for 'Dinabandhoo', Prerana Barbarooah in 2007 for 'Spirit of The Graceful Lineage', Hemanta Das in 1999 for 'Koihatir Dhulia', Santwana Bardoloi in 1996 for 'Adajya', Bhabendra Nath Saikia in 1995 for 'Itihas', Jahnu Barua in 1988 for 'Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai', Chandra Narayan Barua in 1986 for 'The Land Where Wind Blows Free' and Nip Barua in 1958 for 'Ronga Police'.

References

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