SHILLONG: With Ri – Homeland Of Uncertainty running to packed houses at a movie theatre in the city, its national Award winning director, Pradip Kurbah, on Tuesday revealed that he never expected to win the National Award for the movie.
“While making the movie we never expected such a huge recognition. I believe we were lucky to get the national award,” Kurbah said.
The acclaimed director is, however, overwhelmed at the response the movie has been generating among the citizens of Shillong.
“I am happy that such a large number of people have liked the movie,” Kurbah said while interacting with newsmen here on Tuesday.
He said that people feel connected to the movie since it is based on the problems relating to insurgency in the State. “The horror of militancy is still fresh in the memories of the people,” he said.
“It is a film that talks about human emotions and circumstances faced by the people during the peak of insurgent activities in Khasi and Jaintia Hills. The plot in the second-half of the movie might seem stretched and imaginary to some, but in terms of treatment, it is remarkably subtle and yet makes for convincing viewing. The explanation is simple – counselling requires time! This is where Ri…. has proven to be a winner,” Kurbah said.
He also expressed gratitude to the residents of the city for extending full support to the movie and also announced that the crew has decided to extend the screening of the movie at Bijou Cinema Hall by another week. There will be a special screening of the movie at U Soso Tham auditorium on August 10.
On the flip side, Kurbah lamented that despite tremendous scope in filmmaking in Meghalaya, the State lacks financiers and technicians which makes it difficult to make suitable Khasi movies.
‘‘There are many passionate filmmakers in the State who have innovative ideas ,” the director of Ri added, “We do not have producers who can push in capital for filmmakers.’’