GUWAHATI: Bodo film Sijou, a historical drama film written and directed by Vishal P. Chaliha, produced by National Award Winning Filmmaker Preeyam Kherkatary Chaliha and Omprakash Kherkatary won 3 awards at Golden Sparrow International Film Festival, 2021. It was announced on Monday. The director of the film, Vishal P. Chaliha won the award as Best Director, Indian Feature Film and Best Debut Filmmaker of Feature Film.
This is the only film of the Northeast to win this award. Sijou tells the story of a boy whose name is Sijou, who lives in the village of Saikhong Guri near Indo Bhutan Border. A very jolly kid who loves to do mischievous acts with his friends. One day Sijou becomes a victim of the Feudal Land Tenure System which was in practice in Bhutan till 1958. Gradually his life takes drastic turns which eventually turns him into a monk. The cinematography of the film is done by Asutosh Kashyap, Sound Designing is done by one of the finest sound designers of hindi cinema Debajit Changmai, Music is composed by Dhrubajyoti Patgiri.
The Art direction of the film was done by Jyoti Shankar Bhattacharyyaa. The film is slated to release by the end of 2021. Commenting this achievement Vishal P. Chaliha , director of the film Sijou said, "It is a great privilege for me and the entire team to bring the award." He also said that Cinemoi, which is one of the largest Television network, also OTT of USA will also promote the film in America. The President of the TV Channel Daphna E Ziman was impressed with the film. She will personally take an interview of the director, the protagonist and the producer on Feb 25, 2021, stated a press release.