GUWAHATI, Feb 3 � Despite changes sweeping across the State and transforming the age old ethos and the very concept of existence, certain genres of art and entertainment here have failed to mirror the transitions in the society, thus losing out in the way and compelled to struggle for survival.
Noted actors Nipon Goswami, Biju Phukan and Baharul Islam on Thursday agreed that one of the major reasons for the present predicament of the Assamese film industry was its inability to act as a catalyst of the changing society that wanted to see it captured in its true colour through sound, light and camera.
Participating in an open interactive session of the 3rd CineASA Guwahati International Film Festival organized by the Cine Art Society, Asom, these celebrated actors pointed put that in keeping with the changing times, the film industry across the country was experimenting on all fronts of film making. �But regrettably, the Assamese film industry is yet to get tuned to these changes and reflect the aspiration of the society in reel,� said veteran actor Nipon Goswami, while speaking at length on film and stage acting.
Sharing his experiences with the young participants, Goswami said that like every vocation under the sun, acting too was a life long process of learning.
This actor who credits his family support for his entry into the profession of acting added that the basic skill requirements for acting in film, on stage and radio were the same. �To be a good actor, one must have imagination, good observation power and a yearning to learn,� he said.
On the other hand, actor Biju Phukan touched on the constraints in the Assamese film industry that is looking for a panacea. Though the effort to revive the golden days of the industry when films like Dr Bezboruah, Buwari, Kokadeuta Nati Aru Haati etc could pull up a full crowd is on, it is still to bear fruit. Phukan stressed the need for the staggering industry to go along with the changes so that a new breath of life could be infused into it. �There is no dearth of talent in Assam. We need a change,� he asserted.
Baharul Islam dwelt considerably on the uncertainty of the times, the angst of the young generation, the loss of faith and the unpredictability of relationships and called for portrayal of the actual picture of society in reel and on the stage. �We need to experiment on the thematic front as the society is changing. The actors have to be professional and they need to build up their capacity of self assessment,� he said.
It needs to be mentioned here that the organizers had arranged for three interactive sessions on the occasion of the film festival that began on January 30 and will continue till February 5. One of the venues of the festival Rabindra Bhawan has been attracting cinema lovers of all age group and profession. The films that have been screened here till date could delight the cine lovers. Crimson Gold, The Japanese Wife, Offside etc, are just a few names that could touch the emotions of the audience and leave them with a feeling of satisfaction.
