SHILLONG/ NEW DELHI: For the first time ever, a Khasi film titled Ri – Homeland Of Uncertainty directed by Pradip Kurbah has bagged the National Award for ‘Best Feature Film’ in the language specified other than those in listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution.
Assamese film Ajeyo, directed by critically-acclaimed Jahnu Baura, is the only other film from the N-E region to be named for award under the same category.
An 11-member jury, headed by noted directed Saeed Akhtar Mirza announced the awards here on Wednesday.
The National Film Awards along with Dada Saheb Phalke honour, which will go to lyricist-director Gulzar this year, are likely to be given by President Pranab Mukherjee on May 3.
Ri has been named for the Rajat Kamal Award that comes with a cash reward of Rs. 1 lakh.
The film is a complex tale of insurgency and reconciliation in the turbulent North Eastern state of Meghalaya and portrays how youths get lured into militancy and diverse ideologies without being able to reason out how the gun can actually resolve their angst against corruption and unemployment. The film has its turning point where a misguided youth joins a militant outfit only to return to the straight but narrow path.
Merlvin Mukhim acts as the main protagonist in the movie. Away in the Andamans holidaying with his family, Merlvin was ecstatic and said his hard work (acting) and that of the producer – director, friend and confidante Pradip Kurbah has finally paid off after this national recognition.
Recently, Prof. Bhubon Lahkar, a faculty on film appreciation at Regional Government Film and Television Institute, Guwahati, praised the camera work of the film and stated that both the director and cinematographer of Ri are well versed in ‘film grammar’.
“The story of the film is realistic and while treating it through the lenses of camera, emotion was barred. It is a great experience to watch Ri. I hope Ri will clinch prizes in regional and International competitive film festivals,” Prof Lahkar had observed.
Meghalaya started producing films about three decades ago with the first Khasi film, Ka Synjuk Ri ki Laiphew Syiem (The Alliance of 30 Kings), directed by late Hamlet Bareh Ngapkynta, screened in 1981. It was followed by Manik Raitong (Manik the Miserable), the celebrated 1984 Khasi film in colour directed by Ardhendu Bhattacharya.
