Cinema Should Go Beyond Entertainment, Says Dr. Mohanty
by Nava Thakuria
Guwahati: The 9th Chalachitram National Film Festival (CNFF-25) opened on 29 November 2025 at the Jyoti Chitraban film studio in Kahilipara, where Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s Asom Khetra Prachar Pramukh Dr. Sunil Mohanty inaugurated the two-day event by lighting the ceremonial lamp before portraits of Bharat Mata and three cultural legends of Assam—Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, singer-composer Zubeen Garg, and renowned flutist Deepak Sarma. As a tribute to Garg, the widely-acclaimed film Mon Jai received a special screening.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Mohanty emphasized that cinema—one of the most powerful mediums of communication—should not be confined to commercial entertainment alone. He stressed that films carry immense potential in strengthening national consciousness and honouring India’s ancient civilisational and cultural heritage. Commending the festival’s central theme, Our Heritage, Our Pride, he said the platform encourages young filmmakers to raise awareness on social discrimination, environmental protection, civic consciousness, and family values.
Organised by Chalachitram, an initiative of Vishwa Samvad Kendra-Assam, the festival aims to screen over 30 short features and documentaries. These include competitive entries reserved for filmmakers from the North-East and additional non-competitive showings. The festival opened with Aham Bhartam directed by Bharat Bala, while The First Film by Piyush Thakur has been selected as the concluding screening on 30 November. According to CNFF secretary Bhagawat Pritam, the films were selected by a preview committee comprising award-winning director Jhulan Krishna Mahanta, veteran filmmaker Bibhu Dutta, and cinematographer Hiten Thakuria.
A distinguished jury—consisting of filmmaker, writer, and critic Vijayakrishnan; National Award-winning director Maipaksana Haorongbam; and acclaimed sound designer & mixer Debajit Gayan—finalised the winners whose names will be announced during the closing ceremony. The award recipients will receive trophies, certificates, and cash prizes in the presence of Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary, cultural luminary Pranjal Saikia, and other eminent personalities, dignitaries, and film enthusiasts, informed VSK Assam secretary Kishor Shivam.
