First Poster of Boro Film 'Bekar Romeo' Released

By: Rana Prataap Saikia

'Bekar Romeo', a film by 31-year-old debutante filmmaker M Okhrang Boro is already starting to make waves in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) and other Boro-dominated area in Assam after the fist poster of the film was distributed online via social media earlier today.

Director-cum-actor Okhrang, who made the film along with fellow first-timers, believes that his film carries an important message, which is why it must be watched. "It is an issue-based film, and people need to watch it to realize the truth of our society. We have dealt with a wide array of social issues in the film through 4 inter-related tales. The issues are -- unemployment, witch-hunting, the effect of bandhs on people's lives, and local politics. All characters and events are easily accessible people will be able to relate, especially in the BTAD area", Okhrang says.

Revealing his plans for a theatrical release, Okhrang said that he is mainly aiming to send the film to festivals in order to garner goodwill and support. "However, we are planning to screen the film on the august occasion of Bathou puja on January 28. Usually, people only watch films during Durga Puja, so we wish to buck the trend and exhibit our film in January. It will provide some entertainment during the Bathou Puja time, and we intend to go to the different pujas to showcase our product.."

Okhrang says that the current crop of film makers should try to balance social messages along with entertainment and 'masala' to appeal to a wider base. "Not everyone can read a book, thus, since the film is a more accessible medium, a visual medium, it should have entertainment value. However, if you can add something of value there...a pinch of social commentary, I believe that will be more effective", Okhrang said.

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