‘Films, misused, destroy minds’

National Award winner and leading light of Assamese cinema, Jahnu Barua’s latest offering,

Bandhun, is about how mindless violence impacts simple lives. He is also known for his Hindi film, Maine

Gandhi ko Nahin Mara.

What is the heritage of cinema from northeast India in general and Assam in particular?

Northeast cinema and Assamese cinema in particular, is indebted to Jyoti Prasad Agarwala. He made

Joymoti in 1934 with no infrastructure whatsoever. As a filmmaker, I, and the next generation , feel immensely inspired by the attitude of not giving up.

100 years of Indian cinema...have we really made the cut?

Celebrating the centenary is a great tribute to the pioneers of Indian cinema like Phalke, Master Vinayak, Bhalji Pendharkar, Debaki Bose, Jyoti Prasad Agarwala. But though we produce the largest number of films in the world, we have lost our identity.

Have Indian films been able to influence contemporary social discourse?

Cinema is like nuclear power. If put to proper use it can greatly help society, but if misused it can destroy minds.

Which is your favourite film?

I love Yasujiro Ozu’s Tokyo Story for its simplicity. As for my past films, I see a lot of flaws. I feel I am growing every moment as a student of cinema.