By Lamphrang Nongspung
SHILLONG: The Khasi movie titled Ri – Homeland Of Uncertainty directed by Pradip Kurbah which bagged the National Award for ‘Best Feature Film’ in the language specified other than those listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution has hit the right note among the local audience.
The movie currently being screened at Bijou Cinema is playing to a packed hall since it released on July 11. The collection from the movie is expected to see an upward trend in the coming days with young people thronging to see the movie. Going by the conversation of the film goers the movie seems to have resonated with the young folks.
“The Unique Selling Point (USP) of Ri… is the acting and cinematography of the movie which is top notch and comparable to any Bollywood movie. The movie has been able to capture the scenic beauty of the Khasi Hills especially South Khasi Hills,” commented a cine goer.
Another major attraction is because the story is based on real life incidents relating to the problem of militancy that had plagued the Khasi-Jaintia hills during the late 90’s and early part of 2000.
Comments from the audience were varied. A majority of those who came to watch the movie agree that Ri – Homeland Of Uncertainty has raised Khasi movies to the next level.
An architecture student from Guwahati, Sam Warjri, said he was satisfied after seeing the movie since there was vast ) improvement in infrastructure compared to the earlier Khasi Hills.
“I like the movie because it sends a positive message to the youth that joining a militant group is no solution to any problem,” Warjri who came for his summer holidays, told The Shillong Times after watching the movie.
He however feels that the action sequence in the movie could have been executed better.
“Otherwise, the acting and camera work are very good,” Warjri said.
A class XII student of Shillong College, Mayble Lyngkhoi, said that she was surprised since she never expected the movie to be so good. “The movie has surpassed all expectations,” she said.
She also echoed Warjri about the right message to the youth not to be lured by people who provoke them to join the militant groups with fancy ideologies but who actually have selfish motives.
“Taking up arms would lead us nowhere. I hope many young people would come to watch this movie,” the Shillong College student said.
St. Anthony’s College student, Purelin Jyrwa, said that the movie has been able to project the horrors of militancy which affected our people.
“It is really sad to see that many young people had in the past been brainwashed to join militant groups in the name of unemployment and lack of development. This is a clear message for the youth of the present generation that they should not be misled by false propaganda,” Jyrwa said.
While stating that he had been closely following Khasi movies over the past few years, he said that he could proudly say this is the best Khasi movie to have ever been made.
“I really like the acting of the lady who acts as a journalist and teacher. I was deeply touched by the manner she mentored one of the militants in the pivotal role that violence would only bring misery into his life,” Jyrwa said.
Government employee John S Kharphuli observed that Ri…. has set a new bench mark for Khasi movies.
“This movie shows that our film-makers do not lack talent, what they need is support from the public and government. The movie has shown improvement in all departments,” Kharphuli said.
He however feels that the missing link in the movie is the character of the senior police officer. “The police officer looks more like a Bollywood star,” the government employee said.
“Personally, I love the movie since there are no songs. I always have complaints about songs in Khasi movies,” Kharphuli said.