In Assam, low-budget films released only on VCDs are giving big screen movies a run for their money,

Where the small screen is the big screen

In Assam, low-budget films released only on VCDs are giving big screen movies a run for their money,

Video films (in VCD format) are a craze in Assam. They are short, soothing, musical, and, in a way, promote the folk cultures of the various ethnic groups in the state. Made in Assamese and a few other local dialects, initially the video films were mostly musicals. They sold for their music. In the last decade, they have come to dominate the local film scene even as the production of big screen, commercial Assamese films has dropped. It started with films like Chall Gauri (2004), Jonbai (2005) and Jaanmoni (2005). Later, films like Rangdhali (2007) cashed in on the craze. Many industry insiders believe that video films are now eating into the fortunes of big screen movies. "In today's busy life, you cannot expect people to go out to a theatre to watch a dull movie. It's a waste of both time and money. People buy VCDs at Rs30-Rs40 each and watch them at home," says Hemchandra Doley, director of video films like Rang and Barosa, "When they are getting everything in a video film, why should they go out to a theatre?" Lower budgets allow video filmmakers to experiment with casting and themes unlike their counterparts in the big screen film industry — a video film needs about Rs7 lakh to Rs10 lakh, while a big screen movie entails a cost of anywhere from Rs35 lakh to Rs60 lakh. As a result, big screen films stick to the tried and tested formula while video films explore newer topics such as social issues and the insurgency in the state. "I presume people crave for video films because they get to see new faces, which they wouldn't see in big screen movies. There, the producers are afraid of roping in newcomers for fear of flops and the resulting financial loss," says Doley. "The big screen industry is rehashing the same old films, and hence its plight," he adds. However, not everyone believes that video films have affected big screen films. Pabitra Margherita, a noted producer of video films, feels that the industry is plagued by poor scripts. "Video films cannot be a hindrance to the growth of big screen movies. For instance, Bollywood hasn't run out of steam despite the production of endless telefilms and serials. The fact of the matter is 60% of the big screen Assamese commercial films lack quality," he says. Moreover, a series of bomb attacks by militants in the 1990s in cinema halls across the state also affected the industry, says Margherita. "People were afraid of stepping out. As a result, the owners converted cinema halls into shopping complexes." However, the popularity of video films has its downsides too. Low budgets and the lure of making a quick profit are attracting a lot of people with literally no knowledge of filmmaking to the industry, says Amardeep Gogoi, a filmmaker. This is leading to both a drop in the quality of the films and repetition of themes. Piracy too has emerged as a big threat to the industry. As Doley points out, a producer makes a profit on a film only if he manages to sell 50,000 copies. Things could have been much better had the big screen producers and directors come on board, says Doley. "They're not forthcoming because of their egos." Chandan Sarma, a film critic, is similarly miffed, "Neither are they making big films, nor are they taking advantage of the VCD format."