Assams braveheart general now on screen
- Film on Lachit Barphukan to be made on a scale as big as Mel Gibsons epic
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT A statue of Lachit Barphukan
Guwahati, Aug. 9: Hollywood actor-director Mel Gibson gave Scottish hero
William Wallace international recognition through the Hollywood hit Braveheart.
Assams very own braveheart, Ahom military general Lachit Barphukan, is all
set for international exposure with award-winning filmmaker Suman Haripriya
ready to start work on a magnum opus on the life and times of the military
general who defeated the invading Mughal army at the famous battle of
Saraighat.
The battle is considered a defining moment in Assams history and also
remains a symbol of patriotism as Lachit Barphukan beheaded his maternal uncle
Desatkoi mumai dangor nohoi (my uncle is not bigger than my country) for
dereliction of duty a day before the great battle.
To be made in three languages Assamese, English and Hindi the film on
Lachit will be made with help from the state government. I met chief minister
Tarun Gogoi last night and he assured me that his government would help in
making the film, she said. Haripriyas film Kadam Tole Krishna Nache, a film
based on saint-philosopher Sankardev, won the Rajat Kamal in the National Film
Awards announced on Tuesday.
The film on Lachit will be on the scale of Braveheart. It is a dream project
for me and I am studying every detail that I can get on the hero, she added.
Though she was yet to select an actor who will portray the military general,
Haripriya said she has also studied dresses of Ahom generals at the Assam State
Museum.
Admitting that enacting the battle of Saraighat will be her biggest
challenge, the director said over 1,000 actors will be used to enact the
battle scenes, which can only be shot over several days. We will try to make it
as realistic as possible. She said a team of four assistants was busy
collecting details about the military general.
What we have found out is that he was not a very young man during the battle
of Saraighat, probably 39-40 years. He was a stocky man with a rotund face. We
are looking for an actor who will match his physical appearance and also have
his charisma, she said.
A historical chronicler who had accompanied the Mughal army had recorded a
pen-picture of Lachit's appearance: His face is broad and resembles a full
moon. No one had the guts to stare at his face and speak.
Despite winning the prestigious Rajat Kamal, Haripriya said: Though the film
Kadam tole... gave her immense pride as a maker, it failed to bring in the
crowds to the theatres.
The film screened at the prestigious Diaspora Film Festival at Brooklyn,
New York was a celluloid tribute to the legacy of the bhakti cult of 15th
century Vaishnavite saint Sankardev. The film is also the first full length
Assamese feature film on art, culture and social achievement of Sankardev.
Exuding confidence about the success of the film on Lachit, Haripriya said
she was determined to put the military general on the world stage.
We have our own braveheart and the world will see the Assamese Braveheart,
she added.
(The Telegraph,10.08.2007)
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