By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 4: The much-awaited Khasi feature film Ha Lyngkha Bneng, directed by Pradip Kurbah, will be screened for home audiences at the Soso Tham Auditorium from March 6 to 11.
The film will have three shows daily—at 12 noon, 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm. Tickets are priced at Rs 150 and Rs 250, with a special concession rate of Rs 100 for students upon presentation of a valid identity card.
The film, which has won accolades at several international and national film festivals, is being brought to Shillong after completing its festival circuit.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Kurbah said the decision to premiere the film at festivals before screening it locally was strategic.
“For independent cinema, it is very important to have a world premiere. If we screen it in our hometown first, we lose that status at international festivals,” he explained, adding that festivals often require films to maintain premiere status for selection.
Kurbah said the film reflects on pressing social concerns such as urban migration, the erosion of community bonds, ageing, and loneliness. He urged audiences to reflect on the themes portrayed in the film and cautioned against allowing such social realities to define the future.
“Don’t let 2047 become the way I have shown,” the ace director remarked, referring to the film’s underlying message about societal change.
Kurbah also emphasised the importance of creating spaces for dialogue around cinema. He noted that community venues such as the Soso Tham Auditorium offer opportunities for filmmakers to interact with audiences, something rarely possible in conventional cinema halls where viewers leave immediately after screenings.
In his three-decade-long career, Kurbah said this is the first time he has witnessed the government taking cinema seriously, calling it a positive development.
He referred to the recently announced subsidy for theatre operators and individuals interested in promoting cinema in the region, but stressed that the growth of cinema culture cannot depend solely on the government.
“We are still in a nascent stage, but there is a bright perspective. Every filmmaker, actor and technician must be honest in their approach. Cinema is a powerful medium,” the ace director said.
He also underlined the need for a film school in Meghalaya, stating that many students from the region pursue cinema studies elsewhere but do not return to contribute to the local industry.
Kurbah welcomed reports that the government is planning to establish a film school, describing it as a positive step for aspiring filmmakers.
He further urged fellow filmmakers not to take audiences for granted, noting the declining footfall in theatres. “We cannot simply blame OTT platforms. Watching a film in a theatre is a different experience. We must question whether the content we are producing is engaging enough,” he said.
Actor Merlvin Jude Mukhim, who has collaborated with Kurbah on several projects, said the team felt it was meaningful to bring the film home after travelling to numerous film festivals and receiving recognition.
“There is nothing more meaningful than bringing the story back to the people it belongs to,” he said, inviting audiences from Shillong and nearby areas to attend the screenings.
Mukhim expressed hope that the Soso Tham Auditorium would transform into a vibrant cinema space during the six-day run, encouraging collective viewing and discussion.
He particularly urged students to attend and engage with the team, stating that nurturing film appreciation among young audiences is essential for building a cinema culture in the state.
He acknowledged the support of the state’s OTT platform, Hello Meghalaya, for promoting films and storytelling from the region and helping local stories reach wider audiences.
Both Kurbah and Mukhim stressed that the growth of cinema in Meghalaya will require collaboration among filmmakers, actors, institutions, audiences and the government.
With its exploration of themes such as urban migration, ageing, loneliness and the importance of community, Ha Lyngkha Bneng returns to Shillong not just as an award-winning film, but as a conversation starter aimed at strengthening cinema culture in the state.
