The arrival of the New Year brings promising news for fans of Assamese cinema. The Assamese film Prastabana — The Preamble, brought to life by JD and KP Productions—a directorial collaboration between Dilip Borah and Manik Roy—is set to make its grand debut on the big screen on January 16.
Drawing inspiration from Dilip Borah’s impactful novel Yatra, the film promises to shake up political indifference. It delivers a searing indictment of how the political sphere unfortunately ensnares the worlds of education and young people.
Dilip Borah and Manik Roy, stepping into the director’s chairs for the first time with this film, have truly pulled no punches. They have crafted a powerful look at how political meddling can poison the lives of students and the very heart of educational institutions. It is particularly noteworthy how the movie strives to uncover the significant decay that can emerge in Indian democracy when its foundational principles begin to crumble. The message is undeniable: it is time for India’s young generation to stir from complacency, remain ever watchful, and stand as guardians of the fundamental principles enshrined in the Constitution—the ideals of justice, equality, liberty, and fraternity.
Borah, known for his hard-hitting novels and incisive essays, is involved in multiple facets of filmmaking, as he not only co-directs the project but also takes on the roles of producer and screenwriter. Manik Roy, an established figure in Assam’s theatrical scene and the visionary founder of Guwahati Shishu Natya Vidyalaya, adeptly translates his expertise in stagecraft to the cinematic realm, crafting a film that resonates with emotional depth and ideological strength.
The film stars the dynamic Tapan Das and boasts a robust ensemble cast that includes Paarvee Baruah, Debajit Mazumdar, Ashwini Kumar Bhuyan, Abatosh Bhuyan, Kaushik Nath, Hillol Kumar Pathak, RK, Simanta Raj Sarma Kondoli, Manik Roy, Dilip Borah, Minakshi Sarmah, Goutam Kumar Das, Luit Baruah, Mahendra Das, Antara GG Choudhury, Hridayananda Deva Goswami, among others.
The film’s cinematography is handled by Bitul Das, while Bhaskar Dutta, Lenin Bora, and Arindam Borah serve as assistant directors. Editing is done by renowned National Award-winning editor A. Sreekar Prasad in collaboration with Jhulan Krishna Mahanta. Sound design and mixing have been executed by Debajit Gayan, while location sound was handled by Arnab Borah. Art direction is managed by Gulok Saha, and costume design is supervised by Sumon Phukan. Color grading was handled by Ghanashyam Kalita, and VFX and CGI work were carried out by Mrigank Pratic Parashar.
Uttam Deka serves as the production controller, Uday Mandal showcases his makeup expertise, and the film’s still photography has been done by Nilakshi Neog. The film includes three musical pieces: the title track Swahidor Kesa Rocktere, composed and performed by Satya Ranjan Bhuyan; O Maji Re, featuring music, lyrics, and vocals by Hiteswar Ray; and a Jeng Bihu song performed by renowned artiste Manjyotsna Mahanta, with lyrics written by Amarjyoti Kakoty and Swapna Jyoti Thengal. The Bihu dance in the film is choreographed by Shyemolima Das Baruah. Background music has been scored by Quan Bay.
The film has been produced by Dilip Borah in collaboration with Dr. Rabin Saikia.
Prastabana — The Preamble goes beyond mere narrative; it is a powerful cinematic plea that resonates deeply with ethical sensibilities. It transforms Borah’s literary foundation into a visually compelling experience while preserving the story’s moral urgency. The film also adds fuel to the conversation on the role of cinema in reflecting and reshaping social reality.
As it approaches its release on January 16, Prastabana — The Preamble promises to deliver not only entertainment but also thoughtful reflection for a generation grappling with the challenges of a democracy in crisis.
