By - Amit kumaR Agarwal
‘Bhupen da Uncut', documentary on Bharat Ratna, Dr Bhupen Hazarika, directed by filmmaker Bobbeeta Sharma, was showcased at the 56th International Film Festival of India, Goa to much applause and appreciation.
Screened under the Special Packages section of the Indian Panorama on November 23, the documentary highlighted Dr. Bhupen Hazarika's cultural impact not only in Assam or for that matter India, but across the world.
Speaking exclusively to Bhaarat Bol News, the film-maker Bobbeeta Sharma said that her work features rare footage of Dr Hazarika right from 1999 during his visit to the United Kingdom.
"It offers insights into his life and inspirations. Dr Hazarika's unpublished poems are recited in the film, providing a personal glimpse into his philosophy and artistry", Bobbeeta said talking about the USP of her work.
On being queried about how her work is different from other docs on Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Sharma said, "there haven't been many documentaries on Bhupen Da. My entire challenge was to make a compelling and moving doc on Da and I believe I have successfully achieved it".
Sharma said that her idea was to capture Bhupen da in an unguarded, introspective mood, "you will see him speak candidly about his childhood, his creative influences including interactions with Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, his academic journey in New York, and his personal life, including his relationship with his wife Priyamvada Patel".
Sharma added, "in these revealing conversations, Dr Hazarika also recites several of his unpublished poems, offering a deeply personal glimpse into the thoughts and philosophy".
‘Bhupen da Uncut’ has been produced by Chinmoy Sharma and Bobbeeta Sharma, with Ravindra Badgaiyan serving as the Editor and Creative Director.
Ravindra too lauded the work of Sharma, "not because I am associated with the project, but purely as an audience I want to comment, the doc is a cinematic gem".
Bobbeeta expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and IFFI for honouring Dr Hazarika’s centenary year by featuring the documentary as a tribute.
The doc had its premiere in Guwahati on September 7, followed by international ovations at Warsaw, Luxembourg and London and at various events organized by the High Commission of India in the UK as part of the centenary celebrations.