The popular Assamese VCD-era title Jonbai, once a household favourite among audiences across Assam, is set to return in a new avatar as a full-length feature film.
The film is being produced under the banner of Manas Robin Production, with noted musician and filmmaker Manas Robin handling the story, screenplay and production. The film will be directed by Rajesh Bhuyan.
The auspicious muhurat ceremony of the film was held on Thursday at Ganesh Mandir ahead of the commencement of shooting scheduled from June this year.
During the ceremony, director Rajesh Bhuyan and producer Manas Robin lit the ceremonial lamp, while veteran actor Arun Hazarika, widely known for his iconic role as Netra, performed the traditional coconut-breaking ritual. Manas Robin’s father Rabin Gogoi offered floral tribute to the camera, while actor Rajib Goswami switched on the camera for the muhurat shot. Actor Udayan Duarah gave the clapstick for the ceremonial scene featuring Arun Hazarika and newcomer Prithwiraj Sekhar Sarma.
The film will bring back beloved characters such as Netra, Menaka and Indra, who had once become hugely popular during the golden era of Assamese VCD entertainment. The return of the iconic Netra-Menaka pair is expected to evoke nostalgia among audiences.
The original Jonbai series had gained massive popularity through emotional storytelling, humour and rural family narratives before the Assamese VCD industry declined due to piracy. According to the makers, the upcoming film will continue the story from where it had ended, while presenting it with a contemporary cinematic treatment.
The production team stated that the film will be shot across Sivasagar, Guwahati, Delhi and Dubai. Makeup and styling responsibilities will be handled by Bijoyita Patgiri. The makers are planning to release the film towards the end of this year.
Apart from Arun Hazarika, the cast includes Madhurima Choudhury, Chetana Das, Bishnu Kharghariya, Minu Bania, Reena Bora, Nayan Nilim, Geetawali Rajkumari, Kaushik Bharadwaj, Rajib Goswami, Pabitra Baruah, Baibhabi Goswami, Udayan Duarah and newcomer Prithwiraj Sekhar Sarma along with several other senior and new-generation artistes.
