Emuthi Puthi

I wanted to write about this film back in 2022 only but back then so many people loved it in theatres, it didn't feel like putting my view, but here I am today because National Awards reminded me.

It was a decent watch, but my issue with the film was that they couldn't show their theme well or there was lots of vagueness about their theme. I would love to see new genres being explored in Assamese films. When I talked about this with my friends, some told me I didn't get fantasy. But I do get it. I loved meta normal elements in Kothanodi which was directed by the writer of this film. But what this film lacked was a smooth map, a link that would have binded all the elements that were focusing on their theme, which I am assuming is about Assamese people's integral love and beliefs about Fishes. First thing, there were not enough elements throughout the film that would have prepared us for the ending or the main scene supporting the theme. The lack of those elements felt like unnecessarily filled by bad comic scenes. Secondly , whatever less screen time was being dedicated to the actual theme, those were not linked well. Eg. The scene with Lima Das wasn't binded well with the storyline and theme and it felt like it was forcefully added out of nowhere. It had elements supporting the theme, but they didn't link it well. This was not the case with Kothanodi, there the stories were binded very well in all four parts. I am making the comparison because it's coming from the same writer. It lacked the build up of a fantasy story. So, at last when they finally revealed the reality of the concerned fantasy, it came out obscure to me.

I just wrote this because I felt like the film was not criticised at all, everyone was praising it when it came out and it's great that it could bring joy and became relatable to many people. But there were people who have same thoughts as mine and I want the makers of the film to know that some of us also looked at the film this way. It just doesn't feel good to come out of the theatres with the question "What was the point?"

Wanted to like it being an Assamese movie, just after having watched Local Utpat thrice and loving it immensely. More so, seeing the starcast as talented as Kenny Basumatary, Lima Das and Neetali Das.. No complain on the acting part.. almost all did good job.. but the storyline and direction left me wanting for more.. It actually dragged TBH.. don't get me wrong, perhaps I went to the theatre with higher expectation after having consumed high quality content in Assamese cinema recently, like Aamis and Local Utpat.

I'm sure, the director will come up with better content next time.. All the best.

As the name suggests, this Assamese film titled "Emuthi Puthi" is like a handful of emotions, with right puns and raw imaginations of some adventurous mind. The mythical elements of Assamese folklore, the dialect, the heterogeneity of culture and their flow, or the minimal romanticism of life beautifully filtered the purpose and endeavour of two polar opposite generation and everything inbetween. In one moment you seem to forget who you're with a hope of feeding on the devine 'puthi' symbolic of afterlife, and in another, the reality check of life was portrayed through the dynamic and ambitious YA character. Special appearances could have been highlighted with more depth of character, yet they served the purpose whenever they appeared. The fall of the climax was never anticipated yet happened, leading to a crisp end without suger coating much. For anyone who's willing to give up or seeking a purpose, should definitely watch this film at least once. Lastly, Amuthi Puthi also remarked the thin line which was almost wiped out, between storytelling and scriptwriting in regional cinema.

It is a pathbreaking movie from the perspective of many technical aspects. One of the first movies in india to be shot on iPhone way back in 2019 but when you watch it you will not know it. The exhilarating journey of mishaps, errors is a story of endless desires and the go getting nature of generation z coupled with the follies and foibles of the earlier generation; the immortal Indian desire of attainment of moksha and the sufferings of nature. This movie has a very essential Indian philosophical core wrapped with good acting and perfect comedy. Must watch with family. Great work by the team.

Watched this film on the premiere night and though Assamese is not my first language, i could still connect with all the emotions of the film. It has comedy, drama, heart touching music and everything you expect but don't get from a commercial entertainment movie.