Jahnu Barua – Prominent Film Director from Assam
Jahnu Barua is an award winning film director from Assam, India. Barua is known and widely praised for his style of storytelling and uniqueness presentation of social issues via cinema. Jahnu Barua directed films like Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai, Firingoti, Hagoroloi Bohu Dur and Konikar Ramdhenu. He also made three Hindi language movies including critically acclaimed Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara.
Biography of Jahnu Barua:
Jahnu Barua was born on October 17, 1952 in Bokata of Sivasagar district, Assam. The name of his parents are Deveswar and Gunawati Baruah. He graduated in Science from Guwahati University. Later Jahnu Barua did his post-graduation diploma in Film Direction from Film & TV Institute of India, Pune.
Barua’s first film was Aparoopa, which was released in year 1982. His 1987 movie Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai won him several National and International Film Awards. Jahnu Barua also served as Jury Member / Chairperson in many national and international film festivals.
Works of Jahnu Barua:
Jahnu Barua directed several Assamese language features films. He also worked on three Hindi movies and two television films.
Assamese Film by Jahnu Barua: Aparoopa (1982), Papori (1986), Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai (1987), Bonani (1990), Firingoti (1992), Hagoroloi Bohu Dur (1995), Kukhal (1998), Pokhi (2000), Konikar Ramdhenu (2003) and Tora (2004).
Hindi Film by Jahnu Barua: Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005), Har Pal (2007) and Mumbai Cutting (2010) (Anjane Dost part).
TV series by Jahnu Barua: Ek Kahani (1986) and Adhikar (1988).
Awards & Recognition for Jahnu Barua:
Jahnu Barua’s film Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai (The Catastrophe) won the National Award for the Best Film (Golden Lotus) in 1988. The same film won him several international awards including the Grand Prix Silver Leopard and World Ecumenical Award at the Locarno International Film Festival, Best Film at Amien International Film Festival, and Best of Asia at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
Hagoroloi Bohu Dur (It’s a Long Way to the Sea), another Assamese film of Jahnu Barua, won him the National Award for the Best Director (Golden Lotus) in 1995. Hagoroloi Bohu Dur also received as many as 15 International film awards including World Peace Prize at Chicago International Film Festival, and Best Director at the International Film Festival of Independent Film Makers at Brussels.
National Awards won by Jahnu Barua:
- Best Regional Film Award: Aparoopa (1983)
- Best Film Award: Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai (1987)
- Best film on Environment Award: Bonani (1990)
- Second Best Feature Film Award: Firingoti (1992)
- Best Director Award: Hagoroloi Bohu Dur (1995)
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