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The outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent) is anguished over the sorry state of Assamese film industry which has been going through a lean phase. The outfits commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah has blamed the situation on the 'overwhelming invasion' (increasing popularity) of Hindi movies. The group has also underlined the need for steps to check the increasing presence of Hindi movies in Assam.
The outlawed insurgent outfit called upon the people of Assam to cooperate with the ‘steps it was going to take to rein in on invading Hindi movies’ in the greater interests of protection of Assamese language and culture. It stated that ‘quality Assamese films’ made by some acclaimed filmmakers had failed to draw audience to the theatres because of mega budget Hindi movies.
“Construction of mini cinema halls in rural areas will suffice to revive the golden days of Assamese films. There must be parallel efforts to put a check on promotion and
proliferation of Hindi movies in the state,” the ULFA statement said.
The militant group stated that it had taken a very serious note of an announcement made by an acclaimed filmmaker of the State Pulak Gogoi that he would never make
any film in Assamese in future although he was ready to make films in Bengali and Hindi. Gogoi had made the statement after he had been discouraged by poor response from Assamese audience to his film ‘Mamtaz’ that has been lauded by film critics.
Pulak Gogoi has made several popular Assamese films including like Srimati Mahimamoyee, Morom Nadir Gabharu Ghat,Sadori, Suruj, Relor Alir Dubori Bon, Patni, Mamtaz. He won the Rajat Kamal for best regional film in 1993.
The ULFA expressed fear that barring a handful of artistes, it would become difficult for others artistes from the Assamese film industry to survive unless promotion of “superficial, market-oriented Hindi movies” could not be checked in the state.