Assamese cinema, also known as Jollywood, is the film industry of Assamese language. It is based in Assam, Northeast India. The industry was born in 1935 when Jyoti Prasad Agarwala released his movie Joymoti. Since then the Assamese cinema has developed a slow-paced, sensitive style. In the beginning the industry was called Jollywood,
Despite its long history and its artistic successes, for a state that has always taken its cinema seriously, Assamese cinema has never really managed to break through on the national scene despite its film industry making a mark in the National Awards over the years. Although the beginning of the 21st century has seen Hollywood-style and Bollywood-style Assamese movies hitting the screen, the industry has not been able to compete in the market, significantly overshadowed by the larger industries such as Hollywood and Bollywood.[ "A rare peep into world of Assamese cinema"] In 2017, Village Rockstars was selected as India's official entry to the 91st Academy Awards. In 2019, Bulbul Can Sing won the Special Mention at Berlin International Film Festival. In 2025, the film Roi Roi Binale became the highest-grossing Assamese film of all time, breaking previous box-office records.
History
1930s
The origins of Assamese cinema can be traced back to Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwala, who was also a noted poet, playwright, composer and
freedom fighter. He was instrumental in the production of the first Assamese Film
Joymati in 1935,
under the banner of Chitralekha Movietone. Aideu Handique was the heroine of this movie. Due to the lack of trained technicians, Jyotiprasad, while making his maiden film, shouldered the added responsibilities as the scriptwriter, producer, director, choreographer, editor, set and costume designer, lyricist, and music director.
The film, completed with a budget of 60,000 rupees was released on 10 March 1935. The picture failed.
Like so many early Indian films, the negatives and complete prints of
Joymati are missing. Hridaynath Agarwala restored a few reels of the film, and he donated them to the government of Assam. Altaf Mazid subtitled whatever was left of the prints, added narration to it, and killed the film's background music. Critic Bitopan Borbora protested that devastating act.
[Mazid, Altaf (2006) Joymoti : The first radical film of India, Himal Magazine, March 2006. ]
Despite the significant financial loss from
Joymati, the second picture
Indramalati was filmed between 1937 and 1938 finally released in 1939.
Pramathesh Barua released his Assamese version of
Devdas in 1937. It was the last of the 3 language version following Bengali and Hindi.
1940s
Agarwala made another film after a gap of two years, titled
Indramalati. It was his second and last film. The eminent composer and singer of Assam, Bhupen Hazarika, played a prominent role in the film. With the passing away of Jyotiprasad, the Assamese film industry witnessed a temporary lull for a couple of years.
However, things changed with the onset of World War II. Taking advantage of the situation, Rohini Kr. Baruah made a film on a relevant historical theme titled Manomati (1941). This was followed by films such as Parvati Prasad Baruwa’s Rupahi (1946), Kamal Narayan Choudhury’s Badan Barphukan (1947), Phani Sarma’s Siraj, Asit Sen’s Biplabi, Prabin Phukan’s Parghat, and Suresh Goswami’s Runumi.
1950s
In the 1950s,
Piyoli Phukan won a National Award. The film was produced by Gama Prasad Agarwalla under the banner of Rup Jyoti Productions. It was directed by Phani Sharma, with music composed by Bhupen Hazarika. The story depicted the life of freedom fighter Piyoli Phukan, who revolted against British rule and was executed for treason. The film was considered technically advanced for its time.
In 1955, a new talent, Nip Barua, made his directorial debut with Smrit Paras. His subsequent films Mak Aaru Moram and Ranga Police won several state awards and silver medals at the national level. Bhupen Hazarika also produced and directed his first film, Era Bator Sur.
Prabhat Mukherjee made Puberun (1959), a film on the universality of motherhood, which was screened at the Berlin Film Festival.
1960s
Another notable film of the decade was
Lachit Borphukan, directed by Sarbeswar Chakraborty. Bhupen Hazarika later made his musical
Shakuntala (1961), which received critical acclaim and won the President’s Silver Medal.
Soon after, films began to be produced regularly. Notable works included Nip Barua’s Narakasur, Anil Choudhury’s Matri Swarga, Brojen Barua’s Itu Situ Bahuto, and Mukta and Anwar Hussain’s Tejimala.
By the mid-1960s, film production in Assam became more consistent. Between 1935 and 1970, a total of 62 Assamese films were produced. Filmmakers active during this period included Pravin Sharma, Saila Barua, Amar Pathak, Indukalpa Hazarika, Brajen Barua, Dibon Barua, Debkumar Basu, Amulya Manna, Gauri Barman, Atul Bardoloi, Sujit Singha, Nalin Duara, and Prafulla Barua.
1970s
During the period from 1970 to 1982, a total of 57 Assamese films were made. New directors began to emerge. Notable films include Samarendra Narayan Dev’s
Aranya (1970), Kamal Choudhury’s
Bhaity (1972, the first colour film of Assam), Manoranjan Sur’s
Uttaran (1973), Prabin Bora’s
Parinam (1974), Deuti Barua’s
Bristi (1974), Pulok Gogoi’s
Khoj (1974), Padum Barua’s
Gonga Silonir Pakhi (1976), Bhabendranath Saikia’s
Sandhya Raag (1977), and Atul Bordoloi’s
Kollol (1978).
1990s
The year 1990 marked a transition period in Assamese cinema. Filmmakers experimented
with new themes, stronger realism and socially conscious storytelling. Several notable
films were released, representing both established directors and emerging voices of the
1990s era.
2000s
The 2000s saw the rise of multiple notable directors - Bhaskar Hazarika (who directed
Kothanodi and Aamis), Prerana Barbarooah (who directed Spirit of The Graceful Lineage,
Tumi Aahibaane, Echoes of Sunshine, etc), Deep Choudhury (who directed
Alifa and Fishing Samurai), Monjul Baruah (who directed Anur: Eyes on the Sunshine, Kaaneen, etc), etc.
2010s
, 2016
]]The 2010s saw the release of four Assamese blockbusters- Mission China directed by
Zubeen Garg which earned nearly ₹60,000,000/- (Six Crores) in the box office,
Tumi Aahibane directed
by National Award Winner Prerana Barbarooah which earned nearly ₹20,000,000/- (Two Crores) in the box office, Raamdhenu directed by
National Award Winner Munin Barua which earned nearly ₹20,000,000/- (Two Crores) in the box office and Priyaar Priyo'' directed by National Award Winner Munin Barua which earned nearly ₹20,000,000/- (Two Crores) in the box office.
| + Assamese feature films certified and released in 2010s |
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The 2010s also saw the rise of young independent voices in Assamese cinema, with unique films such as
Local Kung Fu (
Kenny Basumatary),
Village Rockstars and
Bulbul Can Sing (
Rima Das) garnering accolades both nationally and internationally. Also was released the underground
Cult film short film
Muktir Mohakabyo.
The 2010s also saw the loss of many prominent personalities like director Munin Baruah,
2018
In 2018,
Village Rockstars won the Best Feature Film 'Swarna Kamal' award at the 65th National Film Awards in
Delhi, hence becoming the second Assamese film after
Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai to win this award. The film also won awards in the categories of Best Child Artist, Best Audiography and Best Editing.
The film is also selected for India's official entry to 91st Academy Awards making it the first film from Assam to do this.
On 28 July 2018, another Assamese film Xhoixobote Dhemalite received three awards for Best Film, Best Actress and Best Music in 3rd Love International Film Festival in Los Angeles, US.
2019
In 2019, two commercial hit movies were released. one is Kanchanjangha and another is Ratnakar.
Kanchanjangha, released on 5 September become the fastest Assamese film to cross the ₹1 crore mark by doing so in 4 days. The film also crossed the ₹2 crore mark within 1 week after its release. It collected total 7 crore rupees.
Ratnakar, released on 11 October became a hit and earned ₹90.5 lakh in 2 days. After one week of release it earned ₹3.31 crore rupees which is the highest gross for any Assamese cinema in one week. After two weeks it earned total ₹6.63 crore rupees, breaking all box office records of Assamese cinema.
2020
Kenny Basumatary directed the films
Jiya,
Local Utpaat and
Local Kung Fu 3, which were mildly successful.
Local Utpaat earned more than 1 Crore, becoming the fifth film to do so in Assamese cinema.
2021
In 2021, the Assamese film
Bridge, directed by Kripal Kalita, received strong critical acclaim and performed well in limited theatrical release.
2022
In 2022, the romantic drama
Emuthi Puthi attracted significant attention and saw success across Assam, marking a strong post-pandemic recovery for Assamese cinema.
2023
In 2023,
Sri Raghupati became one of the most successful Assamese films of the decade, grossing more than ₹13 crore worldwide and setting multiple regional box-office records.
2024
In 2024,
Local Utpaat, directed by Kenny Basumatary, continued its strong run at the box office and entered the ₹1-crore-plus club, becoming the fifth Assamese film to achieve this milestone.
2025
In 2025,
Roi Roi Binale, the final film of Zubeen Garg, became the highest-grossing Assamese film of all time. The film broke all previous records, collecting more than ₹35 crores.
List of highest-grossing Assamese films
Assamese Short film
Assamese short films refer to the cinematic works produced in the Assamese language, predominantly originating from the northeastern state of Assam, India. These films, typically ranging from a few minutes to half an hour in duration, provide a platform for local filmmakers to tell engaging stories, explore social issues, and showcase Assamese culture and traditions.
Awards
Assam State Film Awards
Assam State Film Award is an award ceremony for Assamese Films in
Guwahati.
Prag Cine Awards
Prag Cine Awards
are presented annually by Prag News. The aim of the award is to give support, recognition and inspiration to the Assamese film industry and honour some of the eminent film personalities who have contributed to the cause of Assamese cinema. The award was first instituted in the year 2003. Starting from 2015, films produced in other Northeastern states were also honoured in this ceremony.
Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival
Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival is a homage to the rich culture of
Northeast India. The festival is dedicated to the film fraternity of the Northeast region of India, especially Assam. It is an initiative for new filmmakers to come together and rediscover various aspects of film making. The film festival is in Guwahati, Assam, India annually since 2013. It is an initiative of Tattva Creations.
National Film Award
The prestigious National Award has been awarded to many Assamese Filmmakers, Munin Barua in 2004 for 'Dinabandhoo', Prerana Barbarooah in 2007 for 'Spirit of The Graceful Lineage', Hemanta Das in 1999 for 'Koihatir Dhulia', Santwana Bardoloi in 1996 for 'Adajya', Bhabendra Nath Saikia in 1995 for 'Itihas', Jahnu Barua in 1988 for 'Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai', Chandra Narayan Barua in 1986 for 'The Land Where Wind Blows Free' and Nip Barua in 1958 for 'Ronga Police'.
See also
External links
