Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai

HCBK is the depiction of an optimistic situation in which a farmer gets trapped. But he eventually then is redeemed which takes place through various circumstances. Throughout the film, it shows various aspects of human characters in a realistic way. The father son issues, the landlord farmer issue, the political issue etc all interplay with one another forming a seat through and optimistic experience. The casts are strong too, including the decent Pranjal Baruah. It reminds me lightly about Do Bigha Zameen but is different about the situation of the theme. The film doesn't reflect the hard life of farmers. DBZ is brutal with respect to HCBK.

Technically its praiseworthy. Marked by realistic narratives and serene mood, imbibed with appealing BGM. Jahnu Baruah's crafty depition of characters and situations is a mark of genius, worthy of nationwide praise.

Jahnu Baruah captures a situation which is real in Assamese context but lacks some global appeal. If the political issue hadn't been in the scenario what would have happenned in the climax. Also the theme is conditional with a lot Ifs and If-Nots. Those remained left out, considering the issue of farmers exploitation. It needed a few modifications for global appealing. Nevertheless it's a good film, worth watching. On a scale of 100 it's an 81.

Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai (1987): Brief Review -

A gutsy Assamese classic on a farmer's land-grabbing issue, smartly aligned with the political power of a common man. Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai is one of the finest films made in the 80s, and I personally feel it deserves far more recognition. The film tells the story of a poor farmer who loses his land to a landlord, as his father once took a loan but never took a receipt after repaying it. This might sound silly and unfairly put the farmer at fault, but the film actually exposes the harsh reality of those times when farmers were unaware of legal documents and loopholes. At first, the film beautifully captures the pain of the farmer who has no money or influence to fight the wealthy landlord. His only option is to file a case, but even that requires money for bribes. He sells his bullocks, sends his little boy to work as an errand boy, yet still falls short. When he finally approaches the SDC officer, he realizes that without documents, the land legally belongs to the landlord. What can he possibly do now? That is where the film smartly brings in the angle of elections and the power of the vote. As a poor man, he has lost everything, but not the one thing: his vote! Can that make him turn the tables on the landlord contesting elections? The brilliant climax unfolds this question with gripping intensity. The film makes powerful comments on the struggles of farmers living in delusion, on resistance, on elections, and on how not everything has a price. The SDC officer's role is crucial, showing that not every government officer is corrupt. Performances by Indra Bania, Badal Das, Purnima Pathak, Pranjal Saikia, Tara, Amulya Kakati, and the entire cast are natural and convincing. Jahnu Barua's cinematic classic is an eye-opener in every sense, and the artistic storytelling makes it even more impactful. A must-watch, hard-hitting classic whose resonance will echo for years.

RATING - 8/10*

By - #samthebestest.

This movie brilliantly depicts the struggle of a farmer in Assam when his land has been illegally captures by a zamindar. The director,Jahnu Barua has done a commendable job in bringing out the social issues prevailing in the villages of Assam at that time, which can be generalized and related to any village of India.He beautifully brings out the poignant emotions which leaves a lasting impression on the viewer. The ending of the movie is what makes this movie one of his best works in my opinion (though I would confess to have seen very few of his films). Overall, I would say that this movie is a gem of not just Assamese cinema but also Indian Cinema. 9.5/10