Guwahati: People from Northeast India have become an increasingly prominent force in mainstream Indian cinema in recent years. Known for its rich cultural diversity, breathtaking landscapes, and immense pool of untapped talent, Northeast is steadily carving a niche for itself in the world of Bollywood, which dominates the world in terms of production. From actors and musicians to filmmakers and locations, the region’s influence in B-Town is expanding, showcasing artistry of this lesser-explored part of the country.
One of the most noticeable shifts has been the rise and involvement of North Eastern actors in Bollywood. Talented individuals from the region are breaking into the mainstream Indian film industry, challenging stereotypes and offering a fresh perspective.
Recently, Debashish Irengbam, a Manipuri created a huge buzz for his involvement in Alia Bhatt's new movie 'Jigra,' which has been directed by Vasan Bala under the banner of Dharma Productions. Debashish Irengbam has penned the script of the film also starring Vedang Raina. Jigra tells a gripping story of a sister who embarks on a perilous journey to rescue her younger brother Ankur (Raina), who is wrongfully imprisoned abroad.
In an exclusive interview with Trishna Das for Business North East, Debashish Irengbam emphasized the importance of boldness for Northeastern talents in the mainstream industry and spoke at length about scriptwriting biz. The Guwahati-born writer stated, "There are many talents from the Northeast, but they need to take the bold step of diving into Bollywood to truly understand the landscape. That's how they can make an impact and expand the Northeast's role in mainstream Indian cinema."
"There are countless folk tales, mythologies, and untold stories from the Northeast that deserve to be brought to life through films. I would love to explore this area in my future projects if given the opportunity. Writing is my passion and I have always wanted to represent northeast India at national as well as international level. So, having written for 'Jigra', a Dharma Production is a dream come true. This is my debut in Bollywood script writing," the writer added.
While speaking of his Hindi speaking abilities, the writer revealed that his army background and settling in northeast India helped him grasp the language quite well. When asked about how much a script writer could earn by writing scripts, Debashish Irengbam said, "The budget for script writing depends on the scale of the film. There's a set budget in place when a film is being made, so it's up to the writer to negotiate accordingly."
There are many others who have paved the way for future generations of North Eastern actors. Danny Denzongpa is a Sikkim-born actor and playback singer, who made a significant contribution to Bollywood playing negative roles in films like Agneepath, Kalicharan, Phir Wahi Raat, and The Burning Train. Andrea Kevichüsa, who made her Bollywood debut in Anek alongside Ayushmann Khurrana, and Adil Hussain, a versatile actor, who has set a great example in terms of crossing regional boundaries and featuring in both Bollywood and international films.
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The Goalpara-born actor portrayed one of the boldest and unconventional characters onscreen in the film Parched alongside Radhika Apte, which gave rise to criticism. Paalin Kabak, an actor from Arunachal Pradesh recently appeared in the Netflix film Murder Mubarak.
Another prominent figure from the northeast was Pramatesh Barua, who made films in Bengali and later on in Hindi. He invented a technique to overcome language difficulty.
"Talking of Indian cinema as a whole, if Dadasaheb Phalke was the father of India, Pramatesh Barua was certainly its Prince of Wales," PK Johar had earlier quoted.
All these people have been pivotal in representing the diversity and depth of the northeastern region’s talent pool. Most of them have even won an award and remain an integral part of the mainstream Indian film industry.
Meanwhile, Debashish Irengbam also praised Rima Das' film 'Village Rockstar.' He said that it has set a standard for the northeastern people in Bollywood. With minimal filmmaking gears and equipment, director Rima Das, who hails from a small village in Assam managed to make headlines for her directorial 'Village Rockstar,' which bagged nomination at the Oscars in 2018.
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Northeast is widely known for its rich musical heritage, which has slowly been embraced by Bollywood. Singers like Papon, have gained immense popularity for their soulful renditions and ability to blend traditional Assamese folk music with contemporary styles.
The Northeast’s growing participation in Bollywood is a testament to the industry’s recognition of the region’s cultural richness and artistic potential. While there is still a long way to go in terms of full representation and mainstreaming, the contributions of actors, musicians, and filmmakers from NE are becoming increasingly visible.
FIRST Business Portal addressing the potential of business capability of North East Region.
