'Film industry suffered for Assam Agitation'

GUWAHATI: Veteran producer

Shankar Lal Goenka

, who has been associated with the industry for six decades, on Tuesday said the Assam Agitation is one of the factors for the declining of the state's film industry.

"We had a great time during the days of Bhupen Hazarika, Nip Barua and their contemporaries in the Sixties and Seventies. But during the time of Assam Agitation, several cinemas were closed down. That's how the return of the films decreased. The quality of the films also suffered," Goenka said during an even at the first

Guwahati International Film Festival

(GIFF).

He, however, appreciated the efforts of young filmmakers who have been able to make a name across the globe. Goenka said, " The government must play a role in promoting and preserving Assamese cinema. I think there must be at least one cinema hall in the state where we can run Assamese films 52 weeks in a year without thinking of loss and profit." He added that not having enough cinemas in the state is one of the stumbling blocks towards the rise of Assamese cinema. He urged the state government to help reopen those halls which had to be shut down for various reasons.

Chairman of state government-owned

Jyoti Chitraban

(Film Studio) Society,

Pabitra Margherita

, said the state government has already earmarked Rs 5 crore for the promotion and preservation of Assamese films.