Odisha’s greenery shapes Amartya’s latest offering at KIFF

Kolkata: After winning the award for best film in the Indian competition section at the 2022 Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) for ‘Adieu Goddard', Amartya Bhattacharya is back with his new offering, ‘Lahari'. Taking part in this edition of KIFF's Competition in Indian Language Films, ‘Lahari' had its first screening at Rabindra Sadan on Sunday to the applause and appreciation of cinephiles at the packed venue. While Bhattacharya could not join his team for the screening as he is currently working in the US, the filmmaker told TOI over the phone, "I would say that KIFF chose our film and we are very happy about it. Yes, it's the first Indian festival that we have submitted to, and it's a great feeling to premiere it in the city we commonly refer to as the cultural capital. We are not sure yet of the next festival but hope that the film will continue winning hearts in India and abroad." Shot in some of the most picturesque locales of Odisha like Mangalajodi, Dhenkanal and Bichitrapur, ‘Lahari' meanders through the lives of two friends – boatman Bhuta (Choudhury Jayaprakash Das) and fisherman Dinu, played by Choudhury Bikash Das of ‘Adieu Godard' fame – and takes the audience on their journey of trying to establish indigenous methods of livelihood for survival and to elevate their condition. There is also an element of magic realism that drives the plot to its culmination despite the realities of urban capitalism ingrained in the narrative. "Odisha's green was always on my mind. It organically shaped up as this (film). I haven't consciously imposed anything," admitted Bhattacharya. "Through this film I tried to bridge the gap between possibility and rural entrepreneurship. The culture of eco-tourism may not be a top-down approach but can be seen as an indigenous response to unadulterated possibilities. It is also about the roots and the uninhibited forces that draw one towards the roots, overpowering all other forces that pull one away from home." The film also has a cameo by the director, who acknowledged his love for acting and that he "first thought of directing films because no directors gave me a chance to act". Another highlight of the film is child actor Smruti Ranjan Mahala, whose performance was greatly praised by the audience on Sunday. Produced by Jhilik Bhattacharjee and with Sawstik Choudhury as creative director and actor, ‘Lahari' will have two more screenings before curtains are drawn on the film festival on Wednesday, and Bhattacharya – the writer, cinematographer, editor and director of the film – will be missing them, too. "I missed the world premiere as I am currently in the US and despite all efforts, I couldn't make it to KIFF. However, I am with the team day and night, virtually communicating over the phone and staying as attached as one virtually can. I am missing the atmosphere, the viewers. But somewhere deep down, I feel I am connecting to the viewers through the art, and the pulse we are getting is very encouraging," Bhattacharya said before signing off.
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