Cinema is not just about entertainment; it is also a reality check for our society. That’s why films are called the mirror reflecting the image of our society.
And 29-year-old Suvrat Kakoti from Golaghat has proven that you don’t need superstars or grand film sets to reach out to the audience.
Directed by Suvrat, Bidurbhai is making all the right noises on the internet. He is also the co-scriptwriter of the popular Assamese web series.
The trailer of Bidurbhai was launched on YouTube on October 31, and the first episode aired on November 5. Since then, netizens can’t keep calm.
Speaking about the positive response to Bidurbhai, Suvrat says, “Fans have reached out to us from across Assam, as well as from Australia, the US, and other foreign countries, appreciating the series. There is no specific success mantra. Content is king. If your script is solid, it will surely resonate with the audience.”
He adds, “We wanted to tell the story of raw, unfiltered rural Assam. The people of our villages are interesting, as each one of them has certain characteristics that make them unique. The series has been well-received because viewers discovered a slice of their lives in the characters.”
Bidurbhai is presented by Rootstock Entertainments. So far, four episodes have been released on YouTube, making them an instant hit among online viewers.
The cast includes Sumki Kachari, Pankaj Mahanta, Ujjal Rajkhowa, Nitu Khanikar, Bolin Bora, Trailukya Baruah, Snigdha Phukan, Ananda Baruah, Uddipana Bora, Sarmistha Das, and Kangkan Saikia.
When asked why he decided to direct Bidurbhai, the young director says, “It was during the Covid-19 induced restrictions in Assam, around June-July, when our group of friends thought of doing something creative. We finalized the script in July and started shooting in August in Golaghat. We wanted to make people laugh. The upheaval caused by the pandemic made it difficult to keep our morale high and stay positive.”
Suvrat also shares that the protest of the microfinance borrowers in the state played a major role in conceptualizing Bidurbhai, as the story revolves around a small chit-fund group.
“Earlier this year, women borrowers were staging protests all over Assam regarding the microfinance companies. It was also an election issue in the state. Episode 1 of Bidurbhai opens with a scene of a group meeting of one such fictional chit-fund group run by women,” he adds.
The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted livelihoods, and microfinance borrowers are among the worst hit. The lockdown and loss of livelihood have impacted their ability to repay loans.
Keeping up with its election promise, the BJP-led state government launched the Assam Microfinance Incentive and Relief Scheme, 2021, to provide financial relief to borrowers hit hard by Covid-19.
“We wanted to bring to life the struggle of the people in rural Assam – their story, their hardship – but with a power-packed punch of comedy and drama. And I believe we have succeeded so far,” Kakoti shares.
Suvrat didn’t receive any formal training in filmmaking. He says he learned it “on the go.”
“Since my teenage years, I have been associated with the entertainment industry. I have directed several music videos and also an upcoming feature film. I have learned while working. Each project gave me confidence and pushed me to take risks,” he says.
When asked about his most memorable moment while filming Bidurbhai, he shares, “Most of the women featuring in the opening scene of Episode 1, titled Gutor Meeting, are non-actors. They are normal village women, and to make them act in front of the camera for the first time in their lives… was something else. That’s one of my memorable moments while filming the series.”
Further sharing the good news, he adds, “We are soon coming up with Season 2 of Bidurbhai. It was never part of the plan, but seeing the overwhelming response from our viewers, we have decided to shoot Season 2.”
And when asked if viewers will get to meet ‘Bidurbhai,’ he laughs and says, “Well… maybe… maybe not. The audience will definitely get an idea of who ‘Bidurbhai’ is… You have to watch Season 2 to know more.”
The article was first published on November 30, 2021.
