MUMBAI, May 2: In a landmark moment for Northeast Indian cinema, a panel discussion titled “Challenges and Prospects of Cinema in Northeast India” was held at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai. The session brought together some of the most prominent voices from the region’s film industry to explore its vibrant cinematic landscape.
The panel featured acclaimed filmmakers and actors including Jahnu Barua, Jatin Bora, Ravi Sarma, Aimee Baruah, HaobamPaban Kumar, and Dominic Sangma, all of whom have played instrumental roles in shaping the film culture of the Northeast.
The discussion explored a variety of issues plaguing the Northeastern film industry, including inadequate production infrastructure, language diversity barriers, limited market access, and lack of institutional support. Despite these challenges, panelists unanimously emphasized the immense potential of the region as a hub of creativity and innovation.
Jahnu Barua, a stalwart of Assamese and Indian cinema, called the Northeast a “reservoir of talent.” He praised the remarkable work being produced by filmmakers in the region and highlighted the rich socio-cultural fabric and vast repository of untold stories that make the Northeast a fertile ground for cinematic exploration. “The future of Northeast cinema is very bright, with many young talents emerging,” he said.
Celebrated Assamese actor Jatin Bora stressed the need for stronger digital distribution networks to overcome the limited reach of Northeastern films beyond regional boundaries. “Assam needs OTT platforms to better market its films,” he said, urging both the central and state governments to establish long-term policies that would enable a more robust regional film ecosystem. “Without a proper distribution network, even the best films fail to cross state lines,” he warned.
Actor and director Ravi Sarma echoed these concerns, calling for systemic investment in the region’s creative infrastructure. “Financial backing and marketing infrastructure are crucial for the growth of the regional industry. The Northeast holds millions of beautiful and unique stories,” he noted.
Focusing on the cultural aspect, Aimee Baruah underlined cinema’s role in preserving linguistic diversity. “Our languages carry centuries of oral history. Film is a powerful medium to protect and promote them,” she said, reinforcing the importance of cinema as a cultural archive.
Filmmakers Haobam Paban Kumar and Dominic Sangma offered insights from the grassroots level, sharing the struggles of independent storytellers in the region who often work without formal support systems but remain committed to their craft.
The session concluded on an optimistic note, with a call for policy reforms, regional collaborations, and the strategic use of OTT platforms to dismantle the traditional barriers facing Northeast cinema. The panel urged government bodies, private investors, and national studios to recognize and elevate the voices of the region’s filmmakers.
