Assam's insurgent outfit ULFA has asked cinema halls to screen each Assamese movie at least for one week in each hall in the state in its bid to boost the revival of the ailing Assamese film industry.
Avijit Asom, chairman of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) faction opposed to peace talks with the government, issued a statement in this regard to the media Sunday.
He advised businessmen or groups who own cinema halls in Assam to facilitate shows of each Assamese movie at least for one week in each of the cinema halls in the state.
The ULFA leader was reacting to media reports that the recently released Assamese movie "Shringkhol" did not get a good response from cinema hall owners.
"It seems from media reports that Assamese movie 'Shringkhol' based on a story by late Bhabendranath Saikia is not a regular commercial movie. But not getting a cinema hall to show such a good movie is a matter of concern," the ULFA leader said in the statement.
"Cinema hall owners will certainly show movies which earn them profit but they should be committed to the state where they are doing business and earning profit."
"We appeal to everyone associated to feel their commitment and responsibility and to arrange for facilitating shows of each Assamese movie in every cinema hall of the state," he said.
The Assamese cine community alleges that cinema halls are not interested in showing Assamese movies as these earn little profit compared to Hindi movies. It also blames the state government for its neglect and the unwillingness of film distributors to promote Assamese movies.
