National-award-winning filmmaker Jahnu Barua feels that regional cinema in Assam is suffering due to lack of proper infrastructure and market.
Barua, 60, believes Assamese filmmakers should learn the art of marketing from their Bollywood counterparts.
"Assamese cinema is going through a very bad phase. It's not that our scripts are not strong but we are struggling with the infrastructure. Market for cinema is small. Youngsters are immensely talented but they are introvert and find it difficult to market their films," Barua told PTI.
Barua started his career in 1982 with 'Aparoopa' (Expectataion) followed by multiple national and international award-winning projects 'Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai' (The Catastrophe), 'Bonani' (The forest), 'Konikar Ramdhenu' (Ride on the Rainbow) among others.
He made his debut in Bollywood with critically acclaimed 'Maine Gandhi ko Nahin Mara'. His second outing in Hindi Film Industry Shiney Ahuja starrer 'Har Pal' is yet to see the light of the day.
"I was hopeful that 'Har Pal' will end the notion that I am an art filmmaker but it is yet to release. I don't understand why people call me an art director. My films are enjoyable and commercially viable too. I have never portrayed my subjects in an intense fashion," he said.
Barua's latest Assamese film 'Baandhon' (Waves of Silence) released today in Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and other metros.
"I didn't expect that the film will be received so well across the nation. I was taken aback when early this year, PVR approached me and expressed their desire to release the film nationwide. It is the first Assamese film, which is releasing outside the state. I am happy that people are ready to explore regional cinema these days," he said.
