Orissa Cinema

By Himansu Khatua:

The super cyclone of October 1999 brings me in contact with the affected population of coastal districts in Orissa. During documenting the post-cyclone scenario – the plight of the survivors in particular, I learn about the Bangledeshi refugee-settlements where either complete families got wiped out or a single survivor is left struggling. It’s then the probing into the genesis of forced migrants, their struggle and exploitation, and their future prompted me to take up their project. The case studies documented gradually evolved into feature length fiction – entirely based on real life characters and situations that I encountered during my documentation.

Since partition East Bengal refugees have been coming to Orissa and settling up small colonies in remote locations away from the mainstream population. The settlements in the coastal region are right on the sea-shores and perpetually under threat. Many a time disasters have struck, settlements been washed off but the survivor’s continue to fight, exist and belong to this land. Interestingly most of the refugees are now 2nd or 3rd generation immigrants. Born or raised in this country, they are very much attached to their adopted homeland. They resist – politically motivated eviction process and deportation attempts by the Government and assert their right to belong. This is in sharp contrast to Ritwik Ghatak’s approach to migration issue where he persistently dwelled upon ‘Searching for roots’. The present generation migrants do not have memories – their roots are nothing more than imaginary homeland.

‘Kathantara’ is more than the story of Kalpana. The film follows her Journey from different perspectives to build a tale of human predicament. Besides director’s own perspective, the point of view of TV camera and other characters are interwoven in simple manner. The device of shifting point of view has not only level layers of subtle interpretation of the tragedy and its aftermath but also has provided a deep insight into human value.

At one level I have attempted to draw different elements from different characters to tell Kalpana’s story. And yet again it is beyond Kalpana’s story – Every character is an untold story- Another story.

Filmography of Himansu Khatua
* The debut feature film ‘Shunya Swaroopa’ won the National Award in the category of BEST ORIYA FILM in 44th NATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, India.
* It also won Orissa State Award for BEST FEATURE FILM, BEST DIRECTION, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, BEST MUSIC and BEST ART DIRECTION.
* Participated in the main programme of 27th ROTTERDAM FILM FESTIVAL, THE NETHERLANDS, 1998
* Participated in the competitive section of SOCHI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, RUSSIA, 1997
* Participated in the 21st GOTEBORG FILM FESTIVAL, SWEDEN, 1998
* Participated in the 34th PESARO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, ITALY, 1998
* Participated in the 13th CINEMA JOVE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, VALENCIA, SPAIN – 1998