Haanduk

About the film

After many anxious years, Hermoni, the mother of Mukti-who had left home to join an extremist outfit is handed a mutilated bullet ridden body purportedly that of her son. The formal last rites are performed. Then comes the news that the body may not be Mukti’s. Thus begins another long wait as Hermoni rekindles her hope that her son will return home in person. With her is Sewali, Mukti’s childhood companion with whom he had sought to share his life. She is a woman now. Her love for Mukti is unflinching. She is waiting. And, there is Biplob. He had returned from the outfit to lead a normal life. His past prevents the return of normalcy. The trio goes on living, nourishing in a hidden corner of their hearts that their hopes and dreams will indeed be fulfilled some day.

Director’s Note

The film delves into a section of the Assamese society in North-east India threatened by influx of illegal immigrants from across the border. A democratic movement yielding no results, an extremist group emerged. Thirty odd years later the social impact is apparent. Today, in the days of global emergence of rebellion and extremism against illegal influx, the Assamese tale tells many tales. Haanduk has been filmed in actual locales, amongst peoples who have witnessed this uprising. It is perhaps for the first time that the Moran community of the Assamese society, hitherto unknown to the world, has been explored in the context of this uprising. The vast Indian existence is some sort of a miniature globe. Nestled in the north eastern corner of this globe is area whose Mongoloid populace share rites, customs and physical features of South East Asia.

Director Biography

Writer, director, producer Jaicheng Jai Dohutia was born in Assam, India. He studied Film & Video Editing in Jyoti Chitraban Film & Television Institute, Guwahati. His debut feature film Haanduk (The Hidden Corner) won The Jury Grand Prize at MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2016, 64th National Film Awards for Best Regional (Moran) Film, NETPAC Award for Best Asian Film at ALIFF 2017.