(On the occasion of the Film Festival being held in Hyderabad
on the 20- 22nd of November 2025)

In the grand history of Indian cinema, films emerging from the North-Eastern states form not just a regional or subsidiary stream, but a distinct voice. Their creative expression whether in cinema, poetry, stories, or music has always stood apart. This uniqueness stems from their deep oneness with nature. The mighty Brahmaputra River itself has been an enduring source of inspiration to many artists. The region gave India great creators like Bhupen Hazarika, whose works embody both artistic brilliance and social depth.

Cinema here is not merely a means of entertainment it is an assertion of cultural identity. It also carries a tone of resistance, reflecting the people’s voice and struggle. Through their artistic expressions, the creators from the North-East affirm, “We too belong to the mainstream of Indian thought and art.” They invite us to listen to their poetry, watch their films, and understand their stories. Though the languages differ, their message remains one and the same.

The North-Eastern states Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, and Sikkim are a land of profound cultural diversity. This diversity finds reflection in all their art forms, especially cinema. Though their films may often be overshadowed by the commercial dominance of Bollywood, they continue to retain an independent, authentic voice.

Cinema in the North-East began in Assam, with the first Assamese film “Joymoti” in1935 directed by Jyotiprasad Agarwala. The film, centered on female valor symbolized resistance and strength. Agarwala is rightly remembered as a pioneer of Assam’s cultural renaissance. Later, director Bhabendra Nath Saikia brought national recognition to Assamese cinema with realistic films like Agnisaan, Sandhyaraag, and Kalasandhya, delving deeply into human relationships and social realities.

Jahnu Barua emerged as one of the foremost representatives of Indian parallel cinema. His films Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai and others won several National Awards, portraying the poetic essence of rural Assam with subtlety and empathy.

Among the new generation, Rima Das has taken Assamese cinema to the global stage. Her internationally acclaimed film Village Rockstars depicting the dreams of a rural girl was India’s official entry to the Oscars. A true independent filmmaker, Rima Das writes, directs, shoots, and edits her own films an inspiring example of single-person filmmaking.

In Manipur, cinema has been a medium of resistance and social expression. It began with Aribam Syam Sharma’s Matamgi Manipur made in 1972, the first Manipuri feature film. Over time, Manipuri cinema became a voice of protest and identity. Films like Imagi Ningthem and Ishanou from the 1980s brought international acclaim. When Bollywood films were banned in Manipur in 2000, local filmmakers responded by producing their own films in the Meitei language, reflecting everyday life and struggles of their people.

In Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Nagaland, the digital era has opened new creative paths. Young voices are emerging from the hills with fresh perspectives. In Mizoram, directors like Mapuia Chawngthu and Lalbiakthanga explore themes of family, religion, and modernity. In Meghalaya, Pradip Kurbah’s films Onaatah and Iewduh sensitively depict the humanity of a matrilineal society, earning national and international recognition. In Nagaland, directors like Theja Rio and Tiakumzuk Aier are capturing the tribal way of life, music, culture, and urban transformations through cinema.

In Tripura, director Joseph Pulinthanath’s film Mathia, made in the Kokborok language, brought national attention and respect to both the language and its cinema. From Arunachal Pradesh, Sange Dorjee Thongdok’s Crossing Bridges won a National Award for its sensitive portrayal of isolation and belonging. In Sikkim, filmmakers are exploring themes of environment, lifestyle, and self-discovery, finding new cinematic expressions rooted in local ethos.

The key themes across North-Eastern cinema include folk myths and legends, insurgency and militarization, migration, and the conflict between tradition and modernity. Rivers, forests, and rains are not mere backdrops here they are living elements, intertwined with the narrative, breathing life into the stories.

The filmmakers of the North-East have truly given a new visual language to Indian cinema.

The organization of the North East Connect Film Festival in Hyderabad is a moment worthy of celebration and appreciation.