Assamese filmmaker Rima Das, whose film Village Rockstar was named the Best Feature Film at the 65th National Film Awards on Friday (13 April), says its a huge recognition for Assam as it is after 29 years that an Assamese film has won the honour.
65th National Awards: Sridevi wins best actress, Village Rockstars, Baahubali 2, Newton win big
"I am speechless. I have no words to express my joy. It's a huge recognition for us! My sincere gratitude to the National Awards team for awarding the film, to my parents and my family who stood with me all this time and the almighty for giving me strength to make Village Rockstars," Das said in a statement.
"It brings immense joy that a film from Assam made it to this level after 29 years! Massive thank you my Village Rockstars family. Thank you to everyone. I am elated, ecstatic and very happy," she added.
Village Rockstars review: This little wannabe guitarist is a shining star
Set in Das's own village Chhaygaon near Guwahati, Village Rockstars is the story of "poor but amazing children" who live a fun-filled life.
The film opens with the children having fun as a rock band. As the story progresses, it captures the whole gamut of fun that these rural children are having despite living a life of poverty and deprivation.
Das has also won the Best Editing honour for Village Rockstars, which has won the Best Child Artist honour for Bhanita Das. It has also been recognised for Best Location Sound Recordist Mallika Das's work.
IFFI 2017: Liberated by response to Village Rockstars, says director Rima Das
It was in 1987, when veteran filmmaker Jahnu Barua's Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai had won the honour.
Village Rockstar has so far won a number awards and has been screened at different international and Indain film festivals, including Toronto International Film Festival; Cannes Film Festival 2017; Olympia International Film Festival 2017, Greece; Cine Junior Film Festival 2018, France; Dharamshala International Film Festival; Kerala International Film Festival and Mumbai Film Festival, among others.