President Murmu Honors Jadumoni Dutta with National Award for Assamese Film 'Juiphool'
Recognition at the 72nd National Film Awards
Guwahati, Sept 23: At the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony held in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, President Droupadi Murmu awarded the Rajat Kamal for Best Assamese Film to filmmaker Jadumoni Dutta for his work in Juiphool.
This accolade marks Dutta's second Rajat Kamal for Best Assamese Film, following his earlier win in 2011 for Jetuka Pator Dore.
During the ceremony, Dutta expressed that this recognition brings with it a heightened sense of responsibility as a filmmaker.
“Winning the Rajat Kamal for Best Assamese Film with Jetuka Pator Dore was a significant milestone. Now, with Juiphool, our duty to produce quality work has expanded,” he stated.
He also discussed the importance of financial sustainability in filmmaking, emphasizing that the commercial aspect is crucial for continuing to create films.
“The financial side of filmmaking is essential; without it, pursuing new projects becomes challenging,” he noted.
Dutta has always prioritized commercial viability since the start of his career, balancing it with personal projects.
“From the outset of my filmmaking journey, which began with a commercial film, I have focused on the commercial angle to support the industry. In between, I have worked on individual projects leading to films like Jetuka Pator Dore (2011), Pani (2014), and Juiphool (2024),” he explained.
He also announced plans to begin production on his next film by the end of the year, with pre-production already in progress.
“I plan to start filming by late November or December, with pre-production already underway. This project will be a collaborative effort between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh,” he shared.
Following the award ceremony, Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulated Dutta along with producers Rita Dutta and Nandini Sharma for their national recognition.
In a social media post, Sarma highlighted that this honor showcases the rich tradition of cinematic storytelling from Assam.
The award, which was announced in July, was officially presented to Dutta and the producers on Tuesday, recognizing films from 2024.
Juiphool, released in 2024, is set against the backdrop of the Assam-Nagaland border conflict and explores the bond between two women from opposing communities.
The narrative follows Lakhimi, a pregnant Assamese widow from Naragaon, whose friendship with Rengma, a Naga woman who has faced multiple miscarriages, raises eyebrows among locals. Their relationship develops in a setting where villagers have adapted to a life of vigilance at night and rest during the day.
Additionally, an Assamese folk tale, ‘Tula Aru Teja’, intertwines with the main story through the perspectives of Gita and her mother, who are also affected by the violence stemming from border disputes.