08-10-2007, 07:41 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Assamâs braveheart general now on screen
- Film on Lachit Barphukan to be made on a scale as big as Mel Gibsonâs epicÂ
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Guwahati, Aug. 9: Hollywood actor-director Mel Gibson gave Scottish hero William Wallace international recognition through the Hollywood hit Braveheart.
Assamâs 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 Assamâs history and also remains a symbol of patriotism as Lachit Barphukan beheaded his maternal uncle â âDesatkoi mumai dangor nohoi (my uncle is not bigger than my country)â â for dereliction of duty a day before the great battle.
To be made in three languages â Assamese, English and Hindi â the film on Lachit will be made with help from the state government. âI met chief minister Tarun Gogoi last night and he assured me that his government would help in making the film,â she said. Haripriyaâs film Kadam Tole Krishna Nache, a film based on saint-philosopher Sankardev, won the Rajat Kamal in the National Film Awards announced on Tuesday.
âThe 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,â 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 â1,000 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.â She said a team of four assistants was busy collecting details about the military general.
âWhat 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,â she said.
A historical chronicler who had accompanied the Mughal army had recorded a pen-picture of Lachit's appearance: âHis face is broad and resembles a full moon. No one had the guts to stare at his face and speak.â
Despite winning the prestigious Rajat Kamal, Haripriya said: âThough the film Kadam tole... gave her immense pride as a maker, it failed to bring in the crowds to the theatres.â
The film â screened at the prestigious Diaspora Film Festival at Brooklyn, New York â 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.
âWe have our own braveheart and the world will see the Assamese Braveheart,â she added.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070810/asp/...ory_8172275.asp<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
- Film on Lachit Barphukan to be made on a scale as big as Mel Gibsonâs epicÂ
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Guwahati, Aug. 9: Hollywood actor-director Mel Gibson gave Scottish hero William Wallace international recognition through the Hollywood hit Braveheart.
Assamâs 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 Assamâs history and also remains a symbol of patriotism as Lachit Barphukan beheaded his maternal uncle â âDesatkoi mumai dangor nohoi (my uncle is not bigger than my country)â â for dereliction of duty a day before the great battle.
To be made in three languages â Assamese, English and Hindi â the film on Lachit will be made with help from the state government. âI met chief minister Tarun Gogoi last night and he assured me that his government would help in making the film,â she said. Haripriyaâs film Kadam Tole Krishna Nache, a film based on saint-philosopher Sankardev, won the Rajat Kamal in the National Film Awards announced on Tuesday.
âThe 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,â 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 â1,000 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.â She said a team of four assistants was busy collecting details about the military general.
âWhat 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,â she said.
A historical chronicler who had accompanied the Mughal army had recorded a pen-picture of Lachit's appearance: âHis face is broad and resembles a full moon. No one had the guts to stare at his face and speak.â
Despite winning the prestigious Rajat Kamal, Haripriya said: âThough the film Kadam tole... gave her immense pride as a maker, it failed to bring in the crowds to the theatres.â
The film â screened at the prestigious Diaspora Film Festival at Brooklyn, New York â 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.
âWe have our own braveheart and the world will see the Assamese Braveheart,â she added.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070810/asp/...ory_8172275.asp<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->