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One of this year’s most heartening announcements is the film adaptation of Natasurya Phani Sarma’s classic play Keyo (Why?). Scheduled for release at the end of January next year, this adaptation brings Natasurya’s timeless creation to the silver screen, thanks to the persistent efforts of an unsung yet zealous representative of Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala’s family.
The film, scripted and directed by Aparup Agarwala under the banner of Tezpur’s Sree Haribilash Movies, has completed its shooting at various locations in Tezpur. Recently, the editing work was also wrapped up in Guwahati. Hailed as a milestone in the Assamese film industry, the project is the creative brainchild of Aparup Agarwala, an artistic scion of late Bibekananda Agarwala, the brother of Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala.
Phani Sarma originally wrote the social drama Keyo, inspired by his experiences as an actor and the profound grief of losing his son to an untimely death while acting on stage in upper Assam.
The story of Keyo portrays the life of a struggling artist who dedicates his energy to entertaining people with his art but receives little financial or emotional support in return. Barely making ends meet, he is unable to afford medical care for his critically ill son. Stirring and heart-wrenching, Keyo highlights the frustration of an artist battling financial crises and societal neglect.
“The story mirrors the sacrifices and real-life struggles of Natasurya himself,” said Aparup Agarwala, who is making his debut as a filmmaker. Throughout his illustrious career, Phani Sarma faced immense financial hardships. His socially conscious artistry and bitter life experiences led to the creation of Keyo, a drama that remains relevant in addressing socio-economic disparities and challenges that persist even today.
Aparup Agarwala has not only directed and scripted the film but also conceptualized and scored its music. A noted socio-cultural activist and documentary filmmaker, Agarwala has been actively involved in the cultural field. As an Empanelled Director of Doordarshan Kendra, Guwahati, he has produced and directed acclaimed TV serials and documentaries under the banner of Sree Haribilash Movies. His notable works include a docu-feature on Cotton College and audio CDs of Jyoti-Sangeet. His dedication to Rupkonwar’s legacy is reflected in the publication of a rare book of Western staff notations on Jyoti-Sangeet—the first of its kind.
With the editing completed, work on the background score will commence shortly. Agarwala initially planned to release the film on Silpi Divas, celebrated annually on January 17. However, given the release of several other Assamese films on that day, he is now considering January 31, the birth anniversary of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha, for the release.
Keyo features cinematography by Sumon Dowerah, art direction by Kulen Borah, sound design by Debajit Gayan, and editing by Jhulan Krishna Mahanta. Costumes are designed by Sumon Riya Phukon, choreography is by Mitali Dutta Borthakur, and makeup is handled by Arup Das. The chief assistant director is Ronal. Music is arranged by Manash Hazarika, with playback singing by Lonismita Devi and Dikshit Mahanta.
The cast includes several new and emerging talents, such as Partha Dutta, Primrose Saikia, Udayan Goswami, Naba Barua, Bhupen Sarma, Sujeet Sarma, Ujjal Saikia, Palashree Das, Preety Khound Mahanta, Prashanta Borah, Anima Kalita Bordoloi, Rasmita Bhuyan, Tilak Nath, Purbashree Agarwala, Minu Tibrewal, Bhargav Kalita Bora, among others.
