New Delhi: Director Debangkar Borgohain, who directed the Assamese film ‘Sikar’, spoke openly about the film’s team not getting UK visa. The director said that he only wanted to make a film, but he was banned in Britain for 10 years. The film stars ‘Ya Ali’ fame Zubeen Garg and actor Adil Hussain. He and his team were denied visa by the UK visa office in Kolkata.
The lead actress of the film ‘Sikar’, Dhyani Mohan, was also denied a visa. Talking about the same, the director said, “I just wanted to tell a story, but the process became a battle against a system that seemed to question our ability to make this film.” London-based producer Sam Bhattacharjee sought help from the then Member of Parliament Ian Smith, but even his intervention could not secure a visa. Bhattacharjee recalled, “It was a strange and frustrating experience. But we turned those challenges into motivation to make do with what is possible.”
Sam Bhattacharjee helped in the shooting
As the director of the film could not travel to the UK due to visa rejection and a 10-year ban, the UK portion of the film was shot by Sam Bhattacharjee. Despite these obstacles, ‘Sikar’ was completed through 4-5 production schedules, making it the most VFX film in the history of Assamese cinema. The film was produced by British company Unicorn Motion Pictures, with post-production work handled by Do It Creative Ltd. Sam Bhattacharjee said, “‘Sikar’ is not just a film; it is a statement. As the first Assamese film to be extensively shot and produced in the UK, it speaks of the tenacity and creativity of its team.” Now the film will be released on September 20.
FIRST PUBLISHED : August 19, 2024, 20:32 IST
