Biswajeet Bora on Palash Sen starrer 'Aisa Yeh Jahaan'

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Biswajeet Bora on Palash Sen starrer Aisa Yeh Jahaan
Palash Sen (right) in a scene from the movie Aisa Yeh Jahaan.

Director Biswajeet Bora lets us in on his green film, Aisa Yeh Jahaan, headed by popular singer Palash Sen

By Rituraj Borkakoty

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Published: Wed 22 Jul 2015, 2:42 PM

PERHAPS IT'S ONLY fitting that Bollywood's first carbon neutral film is the brainchild of an unheralded filmmaker from the northeast of India - a region that has been heartbreakingly neglected despite its captivating natural beauty and cultural diversity.
Naturally, Biswajeet Bora's mind was filled with a million doubts when he left his native Assam in 2002 to chase his creative dreams in Mumbai. But that didn't stop him from working his socks off as he eventually got a foothold in the movie industry, assisting a critically acclaimed director in his films.
But deep inside Bora something was still missing.
"Whenever I opened my window in Mumbai, I felt homesick," the 35-year-old director tells us.
"I was missing the lush greenery we take for granted in Assam. But in Mumbai all I could see from the balcony was a concrete jungle. It made me worried. I saw a bleak future for the next generation."
It was a strong urge to overcome that fear which has now given birth to the Hindi movie industry's first socio-enviromental film Aisa Yeh Jahaan which is hitting theatres in India on July 24.
The film, with famous singer Palash Sen and Ira Dubey in the lead roles, tells the story of an Assamese family struggling to cope with life in a sprawling city that has long surrendered to the human lust for building bigger and bigger concrete dwellings.
"After I wrote the story in 2011, I sent a very emotional letter to Prithviraj Chavan, the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra. I told him that I wanted to make a film on this subject and that I needed his help. He immediately responded and forwarded it to the department of environment. But nothing happened even six months after the CM's approval!
"I was distraught. But luckily for me Maya Kholie (a businesswoman from Arunachal Pradesh) came like an angel and thanks to her support the movie is releasing this Friday," the affable director told us.
Remarkably, Palash Sen, the lead singer of India's iconic band Euphoria, was never in Bora's mind for the lead role.
"I went to several Bollywood actors but nobody wanted to be a part of a low-budget movie. Then my associate producer suggested Palash Sen's name because he is a very sensitive person. I wasn't convinced but when I spoke to Palash I realised that he was the right man for the role.
"He told me that he would act for free but wanted to do the music for the film. I just smiled! He has composed some wonderful songs for the movie."
The multitalented Sen, who had made his acting debut in Filhaal in 2002, told us he had no hesitation in accepting Bora's offer.
"I am the kind of person who has always done music or acting that has been different. I have never been a commercial guy in the Indian music industry or Indian film industry. So getting an opportunity like this in this day and age is rare. You don't get subjects like these nowadays, you don't get a sensitive director like Biswajeet. Also you never get producers and directors who tell you 'boss we want you to act your way, we want you to make music your way'. You know, everything was exactly the way I would like a film to be or a subject to be," Sen told City Times.
"Also here was my chance to tell the world about issues that I personally feel very strongly about."
The movie boasts an enviable list of National Award winners - dialogue writer Ashok Mishra, editor Suresh Pai and composer Anurag Saikia who has done the background score.
"I knew Bora was Jahnu Barua's (award winning Assamese director) assistant. So I was convinced that his project was special," Saikia told us.
The movie has already won special praise at some of the most prestigious international film festivals.
"I always knew the international audience would love the movie. I hope it gets the same response in India," Bora said.
Sen echoed his director's sentiments.
"I don't think anybody in the team saw the movie as a money-making opportunity. I hope people will feel that Bollywood movies can also be made on these subjects. If people get the message, I will be a very, very happy man."

Aisa Yeh Jahaan director Biswajeet Bora
Aisa Yeh Jahaan director Biswajeet Bora

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