Manju Borah is one of the most creatively successful filmmakers from Assam, making films for over 25 years. Her films have bagged awards not only at the National Awards but also at several international film festivals.

Her seventh film, Ko-Yad (Whirlpool), was screened at the 19th Kolkata Film Festival, the MAMI Film Festival, the Leh International Film Festival, and IFFI, Goa. Ko-Yad won two National Awards that year — for Best Cinematography and for Best Film in the Mising language.

She was bestowed the Women of Excellence Award by FICCI for her outstanding contribution to Film & Entrepreneurship in 2009 and the Satyajit Ray Memorial Award by the Asian Film Foundation in 2012.

She is also credited with making Sarbagunakar Srimanta Sankardeva, the first animated feature film in the history of cinema in the North East, which became a major commercial success in Assam.

Excerpts from the interview:

This is not your first visit to KIFF. How do you think this festival has evolved over the years?

“Yes, I have been associated with KIFF since 1999/2000 with my first film Baibhab (A Scam in Verse). This film was declared the Asian Best at the 6th Dhaka International Film Festival. Later, it was screened at KIFF and was quite well received by critics and the Kolkata audience. After Baibhab, six of my later films were selected by KIFF and screened within a span of 12–13 years at the festival.

Each time I go to KIFF, I create close and warm relationships with the festival circle,........

© Mathrubhumi English