On Thursday, the 7th New Delhi Film Festival 2024 showcased the Assamese documentary film ‘Fehujali’, which revolves around the lives of underprivileged youth. Additionally, the film received the esteemed Best Short Documentary award at the festival.
‘Fehujali’ is a film produced by the Director General of Police, Assam, and directed by Dr Partha Sarathi Mahanta, who is currently serving as IGP (Special Task Force), Assam. The English subtitles for the film were carefully selected by Dr Jovial Kalita.
GP Singh, IPS, Director General of Police, Assam, emphasized that a concerning trend has emerged where young individuals are being enticed into joining terrorist organizations through deceptive tactics. In response to this, a proactive approach has been adopted to shed light on the harsh realities faced by those who have been lured into such extremist groups.
The objective behind sharing these true-life stories is to create awareness among vulnerable youths and dissuade them from falling into the same trap. By exposing the disillusionment experienced by former recruits, the aim is to prevent others from making the grave mistake they once made. This initiative serves as a wake-up call for our youth, urging them to confront the harsh realities and make informed choices.
Director Dr. Mahanta mentioned that the documentary revolves around the challenges faced by marginalized young people in the region, who are trapped by extremist groups using various coercive techniques, such as offering money, to recruit them. The story reveals the disappointment experienced by these individuals when they come to understand the uselessness of their supposed goal to free Assam from India, realizing that they are just tools manipulated by outside forces taking advantage of their misguided sense of patriotism. Their return home is characterized by broken dreams and a fresh perspective.
The documentary has received extensive praise and admiration, with audiences expressing deep appreciation. The overwhelmingly positive reception of this film highlights its importance not only as a remarkable cinematic accomplishment but also as a potent instrument for raising awareness and driving change.
