Guwahati, October 16 – ‘Most of the Hindi filmmakers in Indian cinema, especially Bollywood, have no passion and love to their country. Most filmmakers flatter people of a particular religion or focus on presenting their country as inferior or degraded. But there is a big difference between criticizing the ruler of one’s country and promoting anti-national activities’. Actor Arun Arora, trustee of Bharatiya Chitra Sadhana, said this while inaugurating a two-day filmmaking workshop titled ‘Road to Mumbai’ organized by Bharatiya Chitra Sadhana and Chalchitram in Guwahati, yesterday. Kulanandini Mahanta, a graduate of Colorado Film School, USA, fascinated the participants with her presentation on techniques of making films with mobile phones.
Kulanandini has already fascinated the audience with her mobile phone film ‘Emuthi Puthi’. In another session of the workshop, Simi Deka, Head of Film Casting Agency ‘The Stride’ explained the strategies of entering the professional film industry. The screening of the film ‘The Land of Hidden Treasure’ directed by Sanatan Karmakar, which won the first prize in the Lokmanthan competition, was another highlight of the workshop. After the screening, the participants had an intimate conversation with the director.
The second day’s program started with the screening of the short film ‘Sita’ directed by Kankan Deka, director of ‘Beautiful Lives’ and ‘Upasarga’. In this conversation with the participants, Sri Deka advised the emerging filmmaking students to take advantage of all the benefits available from such a workshop. In another interactive session and discussion, actor Arun Arora analysed the preparation and social responsibility of actors with many examples and video clippings.
After the workshop, the participants shared their experiences and expressed their gratitude to the organizers for such a result-oriented workshop. Nayana Bora, Secy of Jyotichitraban Film Society presented certificates to the participants and encouraged the trainees to move forward.
The workshop was attended by MP Pabitra Margherita, Pramod Kalita, Secy, Publications Board, Assam, film director Achintya Shankar, journalist and filmmaker Sibanu Bora, Seva-bharati Secretary Riju Dutta, film director Manju Bora, Secretary of Kalakshetra, Sudarshan Thakur, Kishor Shivam and Dr. Sunil Mohanti, a researcher and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) prasarak. The workshop was conducted by Utpal Datta, Dean, Assam Down Town University and Chairman, Chalchitram with the assistance of social media expert Neil Das and actor-music director and Secy, of Chalachitram Bhagwat Pritam. Two of the trainees will have the opportunity to participate in the 15-day workshop to be held in Mumbai next December.
