Naga artists Chuzho Zhokho and Rose Longchar. (Photo by Special Arrangement).
Bollywood movie ‘Little Boy,’ with considerable crew as well as a co-producer from Nagaland, has accomplished a major triumph with mainstream theatrical release across India, including the mega of entertainment industry, Mumbai.
It a no mean feat, as most movies often fail to reach theatres, due to various post-production constraints.
Notably, the 90% of the film was shot in Arunachal Pradesh’s capital Itanagar and Ziro Valley, presenting scenic typical village settings to small towns, resonating local market places and township in Northeast region.
“It is one of the premiere Bollywood films to undertake major part of the shooting in the Northeast,” the co-producer Rebecca Changkija Sema told The Morung Express.
Talking about her challenges, she stated the movie budgeted at around Rs. 1.50 crore, did not leave much room for publicity, but it was released in more than 100 theatres all over India.
Written and directed by Shiraz Henry, the film is produced by Abu Tani Films in association with Find Studioz with Yumlam Achung as producer and Rebecca Changkija as co-producer.
Yajuvendra Pratap Singh, Chuzho Zhokhoi, Rose Longchar, Zhatuo, Rashmi Mishra, Shishir Sharma and Ehsaan Khan hone leading roles in the movie.
Leading artists From Nagaland
‘Little boy’ is based on the true story of Yumlam Achung, from Arunachal Pradesh. The movie revolves around his childhood struggles, and later as a successful businessman and an influential leader in the town.
Rose Longchar, making her maiden debut in Bollywood, is protagonist Yajuvendra Pratap Singh’s girlfriend in his youth days, while Rashmi Mishra is the main lead.
She is an artist based in Dimapur and got the role got through the auditions in Dimapur.
Comparing her previous acting roles in Nagamese and Nepalese, working in Bollywood for the first time, Rose said, the exposures have given her more professionalism and experience throughout the shooting period.
“It has always been my dream to improve my acting career and to also get into better platform,” she added.
Playing major role in the movie is Chuzho, a close accomplice and ally of the hero.
Chuzho, who had played major role in some local production as well as Bollywood films, is also the executive producer of the movie.
Currently on shooting locations for a South Indian movie releasing in August, he told The Morung Express that he have been blessed to get to work in reputed Bollywood projects.
“Also being the executive producer and working in the limited budget with the story based on a true life of a person from Northeast has enabled me to be more connected to the movie and the place,” added Chuzho, who regards acting as his profession and an interest since childhood.
Apart from the co-producer and Naga artists in the movie, there are 11 other crew members from Nagaland.
The costume and styling for the movies has been done by T. Limanaro, Jamir, Tovini, Kalong, Bendang Pongen, and Tia Longkumer.
No wonder, Nagaland’s commercial hub, Dimapur is given frequently mentioned in the movie.
“This movie is really special because we have few good artists from our own Nagaland. We worked together day and night and happy to see responds from the audience before the release. Little Boy will inspire many younger generation. It has a message for every common people like us…” Rebecca had earlier maintained.
‘Satisfied with response’
Meanwhile, the co-producer was quite satisfied with the response to the movie when queried.
Despite of shoe-string budget, with limited publicity, word-of-mouth publicity is generating more footfalls, Rebecca said.
We are increasing few more theatres in Mumbai as there is better response since yesterday and will continue into next week, she added.
The movie has been running house full from the day 1, she maintained.
Rebecca further said that while ‘Little Boy’ was release in limited location on January 18, the movie will expand to 100 more theatres in the first week of February in Lucknow, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and in Southern region.
However, the movie will have the theatrical run in Dimapur’s Hillstar and Funcinema only till January 24.
Regarding the movie, Lubna Rizvi from Mumbai giving said “it is a complete family entertainment” and an opportunity to watch Northeast in big screens closely.
“Little Boy takes us to our land and also voices the problem faced by the North Eastern people. A great step by the maker to bring North East closer to India,” wrote Jutika Mahanta , who is also from Mumbai.
(Morung Express News)
