Director Akashaditya Lama’s movie on Naga bravery award winner Mhonbeni wraps up shooting in Kohima
Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 10
If everything goes well as scripted, a well conceptualized film solely based on Nagaland will soon hit the celluloid with the artistes comprising mainly of Nagas, courtesy of Akashaditya Lama, a bollywood industry veteran and Rebecca Changkija, a Naga producer based in Mumbai.
Tentatively titled, Nani Teri Morni, (a popular children rhyme), their latest venture is based on the heroics of Mhonbeni Ezung, who received a national bravery award 2015 for rescuing her drowning grandmother from a river in January 2014. Barely 8, she was the youngest recipient of the bravery award that year.
It was not just her bravery, it was inspiration and influences which propelled Mhonbeni to undertake the brave deed that interested me, said the Director/Producer Lama at a press conference discussing the movie at Hotel Emerald Inn, Dimapur here today.
Digging deeper into her story, I came to know that one day before the incident, her grandmother had narrated to Mhonbeni about folktales where a Lotha warrior named Ranphan saved his entire village from a man-eating tiger, he added.
“That might have inspired her and she bravely saved her grandmother,” Lama further maintained.
The research for the storey started in 2014 and after clearing out all the legal matters and other formalities, the scout location was done in April this year, and the shooting began on September 2, he informed.
“We wanted to shoot in Dzokou Valley but could not due to some technicalities involved,” he added.
The treatment of the movie is simple but entertaining, he said. But at the same time, it wants to convey the message about the importance of traditional knowledge and storytelling which are gradually losing due to onset of modernity.
Most of the artistes were scouted locally. Rebecca Changkija, described teasingly as ‘mother-figure’ of the project, said a three days audition was done for casting the crew.
To play the main role, around 60 kids were auditioned and 2 girls were shortlisted in the end.
One plays the lead role and the other her friend, she added.
Zinen Nillo Kath, a student of Stepping Stones, Dimapur is playing the lead role, while Watirongla from Aoyimti, Dimapur is playing the supporting role.
Apart from them, the grandmother’s role, other cast members and other assistance were done mostly by the Nagas, Changkija informed.
Chuzho Zhokhoi, another Naga Bollywood actor also plays a pivotal role, she added.
Talking about the local talents, Director Lama said while he was skeptic at first, he was “pretty amazed” by their acting quality.
I wanted people from here, not there (Mumbai). It was very important for me as I tried to show Naga culture and traditions, Lama further maintained. Mostly shot in Nagamese, the director said, “Language is not a barrier, only quality and contents matter.”
About local talent honing the camera, he said creativity are same everywhere, but craft matters and Nagas are lacking in that area. It might be due to lack of technical equipment, exposure, budget or even the artistes, he reasoned.
On the experience of shooting in Nagaland, Changkija, who did most of the scouting for the cast as well as logistics requirement, wished that like other places, the government should encourage such venture and those who are struggling.
It could have handled better, she added.
Chipping in, the Director further emphasized the government should undertake investment friendly policy in order to attract more shootings from outside. Talking about her bollywood experience so far, Changkija modestly claimed that while it has been around six years, she is still struggling.
“This place is not very bad for struggle,” she added, “It is worth the struggle.”
My commitment to showcase the beauty of north-east still remains and there are ongoing projects as well as other in pipeline, she added.
“When people are coming to us, please associate not only through social media but give wide publicity and support as well,” Changkija also urged. “Bollywood is coming here, please take advantage of this.”
After the shooting, the post production will be handled by top industry hands and the film will be technically strong, the director further stated.
