Director’s cut: Through the eyes of the man next door

BANGALORE: The common man speaks in heart-wrenching stories that find identity through signature films by those who dare to tow the unbeaten path. Up this less travelled road, veteran Assamese filmmaker Jahnu Barua's repertoire of revolutionary films sing the aam aadmi's refrain, subtly , irrevocably , provoking thoughts of transformation . And the common man's refrain translates as the anthem of the Biffes as it does in film festivals across the world.
For, believes Jahnu, we ourselves are the destroyers and creators of our universe. "Through my films, I do whatever I can for humanity. The story could be about common characters , everyday situations and universal causes as with the forest in my film Bonani,” says the filmmaker who has set international screens on emotional steam, bringing him accolades for stories like Hkhagoroloi Bohu Door, Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara.
Jahnu's latest film Baandhon is born out of this filmmaker's shock over the 26/11 incident in Mumbai. "When the attack happened, I was in Goa. My family and I were shocked, glued to the television for three days and nights, watching with aplomb the common man suffer , just because his elected representative has failed in his task to protect him. Thereon, I hoped that some filmmaker would tell the story to the world, until two years passed and I was completely ashamed of the film fraternity. Then, my wife turned around and asked me — ‘Why don’t you do something about it?’ I said I didn't have the funds for such a big-budget film. She replied: ‘Why not make it like your other films?’ And Baandhon was born,” says Jahnu.
Today, Jahnu is hopeful that the aam aadmi will stand up for his rights. “And I'm very hopeful of young filmmakers too. There are a lot of good stories coming up and I feel very young when I watch them. But it's important for these young filmmakers to work and create a proper identity for themselves. The last 10 years of Indian cinema have been trend changing,” smiles Jahnu , as he gets set to shoot a new story based on an Assamese novel that translates Colour of Blessings - a comparative study between pre-independence and the new millennium , his way.
FROM A GEN NOW FILMMAKER
I shifted focus from cricket to cinema because I didn't want a 9 to 5 corporate job. After making BA Pass, I realized that impact comes through your work and veterans like Girish Kasaravalli and Jahnu Barua have a lifetime of bests to their credit. Among the new age filmmakers, Anurag Kahsyap is a big force in the world film fest scene — he is already in the Sundance jury and could well be in the Cannes jury soon. I aspire to continue my career in filmmaking , but sustainability is a huge factor, because of which, sticking to independent expression could be a huge challenge.
Ajay Bahl | DIRECTOR OF BA PASS, WHICH WON OSIAN’S CINEFAN 2012 ACCOLADE FOR BEST FILM AND BEST ACTOR
TOI’S PICK FOR THURSDAY
Noor
Dir: Guillaume Giovanetti and Cagla Zencirci (77 min, 2012, Pakistan) At Garuda Inox 3, 3.45 pm
Special screening: Kaksparsh
Dir: Mahesh Manjrekar (143 min, 2012, India) AT lido 4, 6.15 pm
Identification of a Woman
Michelangelo Antonini (128 min, 1982, Italy) At Priyadarshini, 3.45 pm
Bunohan
Dir: Dain Said (97 min, 2011, Malaysia) At Garuda INOX 3, 6.15 pm