Hello from Bidyut…

[originally appeared on August 20, 2009]

‘You see things; and you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were; and I say, ‘Why not?’

G.B. Shaw

“Bidyut, let me be honest with you. I agree with you completely that this story needs to be told. But let me tell you, none of us are going to touch this film. It is too risky” – that was the CEO of a reputed film production house talking to me towards the end of last year. He was just one of many …

But the thought that came to my mind was if we don’t ask those questions, then who will? I may not have answers to these questions, but does it mean that I am not entitled even to ask the questions??

To cut the long story short, I did manage to ask a few questions. I did manage to get a few people convinced so that I could ask those questions through as the River flows. But that is just the beginning.

What are these questions are we talking about here? Well, some very basic human questions. Take for example, a couple of guys come to your house,

take out a revolver, keep it on the table & says, ‘we are hungry’. What will

you do? Even if you don’t have enough for yourself, you will feed those guys I guess. After all, it does not make much sense to argue with people who carry guns, does it? After they leave, the police come and pick you up. Reasons? – ‘giving food and shelter to terrorists!’

Whenever we talk of terrorism, we know the point of view of the terrorists. After all, they survive on propaganda. The people opposing them also have no option but to counter those propagandas, so we know about their point of view as well. But what gets lost in this crossfire of propagandas is the point of view of the common man – in spite of being the vast majority, who have long lost their voices.

This, unfortunately, is true in any place that is facing the problem of terrorism – whether it is Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Kashmir or Assam. Yes, in this film I’m talking about Assam as I know her better than any other place. But the story of as the River flows could very well have been a story in any part of this world. The story of my film's protagonist Sudakshina could very well have been my story. Or yours.

One question remains, ‘how do I ensure that those questions which we ask as the River flows reach the like minded people?’ For any small film, that is a big question. That’s when I had decided, hesitantly, to reach out to you. But the overwhelming response from you all from all parts of the globe told me I should have never worried…

As you joined the group, my film has become our film. So let’s take this journey together for the next few months. We don’t know where our final destination lies- but we can promise ourselves that this will be one beautiful journey…

Let’s interact, share ideas, have healthy arguments, spread the word. The responsibility lies with all of us to ensure that like minded people become our co-traveller in this journey by joining the group as the River flows…

Together we are not alone.

Bidyut