Assam’s first Hindi Drama, Kooki, attracted as many as 1 crore viewers within one month of its upstaging in Prime Videos.
“It was just the next alternative decision’ says Junmoni Khaund, cinema producer.
“We were betrayed by the cinema halls,” said Khaund. She complained that releasing in halls is no longer for small producers; it is only for big banner businesses now. “We had severe financial loss.”
“We have not completed even one month yet. But we got more than 1 crore viewers from India, the UK, and USA, and some other parts of the world” she said.
“Releasing in the hall is more expensive. There are no charges for streaming on the Amazon OTT platform. In one month Kooki was recognized as top 10 movies” said Khaund.
Kooki is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed by Pranab J Deka and produced Niri Media Opc Private Limited, starring Ritisha Khaund, Rajesh Tailang, Dipannita Sharma, Devoleena Bhattacharjee, and Ritu Shivpuri. The singers for the movie Kooki are Sunidhi Chauhan, Divya Kumar, Mohammad Faiz, and Krittika Sharma.
The music for the movie was composed by Pallab Talukdar, Sourav Mahanta, and Tapan Jyoti Dutta
The film tells the story of a 16-year-old girl, Kooki, who is betrayed and abandoned by a court verdict. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024 and at the BVFF in 2023.
The cast includes Ritisha Khaund as Kooki, Rajesh Tailang as Dhanajay Mishra, Rina Rani as Suman Mishra, Dipannita Sharma as S.P. Mandira Singh, and Bodhisattva Sharma as Saptrishi.
ALSO READ: Experts claim semiconductor sector will pave way for 'green initiatives' in Assam
The Marché du Film, the business wing of the Cannes Film Festival 2024 has also screened a Hindi film from Assam, Kooki.
Junmoni Devi Khaund, is a prominent Indian actress, director, and producer known for her diverse skills and contributions to the Indian entertainment industry. Her filmography spans a range of acting roles in Assamese cinema, from leading parts in television films like "Gomdhar Konwar" to supporting characters in feature films such as "Tula aru Teja" and "Suma Poroxote."
As a director, Junmoni has helmed projects across different languages and formats, including the Hindi television series "Sitare Kathghare Mein," the Assamese feature films "Tula aru Teja" and "Suma Poroxote," and the English documentary feature "Wings of Mind." Her work reflects a dedication to storytelling and a keen eye for the nuances of human experience.
In addition to her film career, Junmoni is a recognised figure in several other fields. She serves as the Director of Niri Media OPC Private Limited and holds the position of General Secretary of the All Assam Cine Producers' Association.
Her engagement with the NGO Gamusa, her role as a TV panelist, and her work as a legal advisor to various socio-educational institutions underscore her multifaceted contributions to society.
In addition to her commendable career in the entertainment industry, Junmoni contributes significantly to society through various roles and engagements. She practices law, offers her legal expertise and advocacy in the Gauhati High Court, leads initiatives in media production, serves as the General Secretary of the All Assam Cine Producers' Association, and is a TV panelist.
Film finance is a crucial aspect of film production, involving borrowing to cover production costs and determining the potential value of a proposed film. In Assam, financial constraints have been a significant obstacle for independent filmmakers, as the box office is less popular than in the national market.
To address this, Assam State Film Finance and Development Corporation Ltd. (ASFFDC) has taken an initiative to financially support new and original projects created by its citizens. With financial support from the Assam government, ASFFDC will invest 60 percent in the project, while a private producer will invest 40 percent. The corporation advertises in newspapers for submissions of fresh and original scripts from film directors and producers, and through an expert committee, the best scripts are selected for loan grants.
FIRST Business Portal addressing the potential of business capability of North East Region.
