The directorial debut of National School of Drama alumnus Anupam Kaushik Borah explores the eccentric characters that inhabit the world of his island-abode.
Bornodi Bhutiai review: Quirky film on the unusual residents of Assam's river island Majuli
Cinestaan Rating
Release Date: 01 Nov 2018 / 02hr 12min
Sonal Pandya | Mumbai, 05 Nov 2018 14:00 IST
Assamese film Bornodi Bhutiai (In Love, By The River) begins with a persistent cold, a dead goat and a young woman Moukan (Dorothi Bhardwaj) whose words often mean great tragedy for others. Eventually the film, produced, written and directed by Anupam Kaushik Borah, explores the effect of Moukan on the young eligible men of the river island, Majuli, by the Brahmaputra river in Assam.
Four friends — Bhasker (Himanshu Gogoi), Simanta, Joi (Kaushik Nath) and Tapan — have grown up admiring Moukan. All of them have degrees in different fields but have returned to the island to complete a course on rearing goats. They observe Moukan from afar, never once letting her know of their affection.
In the beginning of the film, Moukan wishes her old neighbour Dino dead after he blames her father Lochan for the death of his prized pregnant goat. And sure enough, within seconds of her uttering those words, he falls dead. She is blamed by the residents of Majuli, especially Dino's daughter, for the death.
Moukan's marriage is hastily arranged to Kushal Kakati, Majuli's animal welfare officer from whom the four friends learn animal husbandry. Dismayed they watch the object of their affection wed their teacher. Reluctantly, it forces them take a hold of their lives and try to make something of it. Two of them leave Majuli to find their destiny while the other two stay back.
Another integral character in this story is Luit (Anupam Kaushik Borah), an insurance agent, who is seized by a cold that develops into pneumonia. He tries everything to cure it, but as many suggest that reason for his cold might be psychological including the prescient Brahmaputra Baba.
Borah's film is crowded with many characters and only after settling into the film for awhile, do you realize their connections. Bornodi Bhutiai is adapted from the director's play of the same name. Many of the artistes from the play reprise their roles in the film too.
As someone from Majuli, the filmmaker tells his story with great love for the region and a larger understanding for its characters. However, while he has the patience to tell their stories, a confused audience might not. Often the tale is rambling, veering away from the plot.
In the first half, the use of flashbacks is disjointed and the filmmaker employs a narrative device of announcing certain commentary in the film online through All India Radio, hilariously comparing the goings on in Majuli with as much importance as the ongoing relations between India and Pakistan.
The second half is much stronger and filled with more lighter and potent moments as Borah reaches the conclusion of his tale and what eventually happens to Moukan, the four friends and Luit.
The backdrop of Majuli, even plagued by its annual floods, is beautiful and almost acts as an additional character. The natives present their lives with great drama, and make for some great comedic moments onscreen.
Bornodi Bhutiai is an interesting slice-of-life from Assam, although hampered by its own storytelling device. However, the memorable characters and melodic music by Tarali Sarma buoy Borah's first attempt.
Bornodi Bhutiai was screened at the 20th Mumbai Film Festival on 1 November 2018.