Of Days Gone By...

A promising filmmaker from Assam, Mukul Haloi talks about his growing up years, creative influences, current projects and much more

- Nasreen Habib

How was it like growing up in the 90s in Assam? Tell us a little about your early influences and what led you to pursuing filmmaking.

I grew up in a small village called Balitara in Nalbari, Assam. It is picturesque and quiet, much like any other Assamese village, with the Pagladia River flowing past. We were three brothers, my eldest brother Mridul is now an established poet in Assamese. So, the environment for creative engagement was already ripe at home. There was a time when poets (mostly Mridul’s friends) from all corners of the State used to drop in and discuss literature and the politics of the day. I think they were my earliest creative influences. But, I wasn’t quite sure of pursuing cinema at that time. The confidence of engaging with cinema only grew stronger when I went to Delhi University for higher studies.

There was no electricity in most parts of our village till 2008. I remember how people used to hire a black and white TV and a CD player on special occasions, such as a wedding. They were my only windows to the world of cinema. Those midnight sessions of film viewing planted the love of cinema deeply in me.

Your latest film Sorotor Aabelibur (Days of Autumn)  won the best director award for you at the 10th International Documentary & Short Film Festival of Kerala. Tell us a little about the short film. When do you plan to screen it in the Northeast?