Assamese film, ‘Prastawana — The Preamble’ set to grace the screens on January 16th
Noted film critic, Prantik Deka writes on the upcoming film. ‘Prastawana — The Preamble’
Drawing inspiration from Dilip Borah’s impactful novel, ‘Yatra’, this film promises to shake up political indifference. It delivers a searing indictment of how the political sphere unfortunately ensnares the worlds of education and young people.
Dilip Borah and Manik Roy, stepping into the director’s chairs for the first time with this film, have truly pulled no punches. They have crafted a powerful look at how political meddling can poison the lives of students and the very heart of our educational institutions. It is particularly noteworthy how the movie strives to uncover the significant decay that can emerge in Indian democracy when its foundational principles begin to crumble. The message is undeniable: it’s time for India’s young generation to stir from complacency, remain ever watchful, and stand as guardians of the fundamental principles enshrined in our Constitution – the ideals of justice, equality, liberty, and fraternity.
Borah, known for his hard-hitting novels and incisive essays, is involved in multiple facets of filmmaking as he not only co-directs the project but also takes on the roles of producer and screenwriter. Manik Roy, an established figure in Assam’s theatrical scene and the visionary founder of Guwahati Shishu Natya Vidyalaya, adeptly translates his expertise in stagecraft to the cinematic realm, crafting a film that resonates with emotional depth and ideological resonance.
The film stars the dynamic Tapan Das and boasts a robust ensemble cast, which includes Paarvee Baruah, Hillol Kumar Pathak, Debajit Mazumdar, Aswini Kumar Bhuyan, Abatosh Bhuyan, Kaushik Nath, RK, Simanta Raj Sarma Kondoli, Manik Roy, and Antara GG Choudhury. The film’s cinematography is handled by Bitul Das, while Anmol Raj Saikia and Bhaskar Dutta serve as assistant directors. The editing of the film is done by the renowned National Award-winning editor A. Sreekar Prasad in collaboration with the skilled Jhulan Krishna Mahanta. The soundscape of the film has been designed by Debajit Gayan, while location audio was executed by Arnab Bora. The art direction is managed by Gulok Saha, and the costume design is supervised by Sumon Phukan. Color grading for the film was handled by Ghanashyam Kalita, and the VFX & CGI work was carried out by Mrigank Pratic Parashar. Uttam Deka serves as the production controller, while the film’s still photography has been done by Nilakshi Neog. The film includes three musical pieces: ‘Swahidor Kesa Rocktere’, which was both composed and performed by Satya Ranjan Bhuyan; ‘O Maji Re’, featuring music, lyrics, and vocals by Hiteswar Ray; and a Jeng Bihu song, performed by renowned artiste Manjyotsna Mahanta, with lyrics written by Amarjyoti Kakoty and Swapna Jyoti Thengal. The film’s background music has been scored by Quan Bay.
‘Prastawana — The Preamble’ goes beyond mere narrative; it’s a powerful cinematic plea that resonates profoundly with our ethical sensibilities. It transforms Borah’s literary foundation into a visually compelling experience, ensuring the story’s moral urgency remains intact. The film also adds fuel to the conversation about the role of cinema in reflecting and reshaping social reality.
As it approaches its release on January 16, ‘Prastawana — The Preamble’ promises to deliver not only entertainment but also a reflection for a generation grappling with the challenges of democracy in crisis.
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