There was a time when football ruled the hearts of the Assamese. But gone are the days when the Bordoloi Trophy would draw huge crowds and top teams from across the country and Asia. East Bengal’s historic triumph against Bangkok Port Authority in the 1978 final is still talked about by old timers. However, over the years, the tournament has lost its sheen as did the football culture in the state.
Of late, though,the Indian Super League has revived interest in football and to carry that flame further, Assam filmmaker Chandra Mudoi is all set to begin shooting his new film which will have football right at the centre. In a first such attempt in Assamese movies, the director intends to shoot portions of his film during the ongoing Bordoloi Trophy.
Mudoi, who has made some popular Assamese films during the past decade, will have several known footballers in the film.
“The film will be based on football and we will shoot in rural areas across the state. I want to portray how rural talents don’t get proper facility and training and as a result fade away at an early stage,” Mudoi told TOI.
The shooting will be held during the course of the Bordoloi Trophy at Nehru Stadium. “It’s an opportunity for me to shoot the tournament. I’m quite hopeful of getting some good visuals. Besides, I will also shoot during the Independence Day Cup in Nagaon,” he added.
The yet to be named film will feature some prominent players from the region including former NorthEast United FC player Durga Boro and Shillong Lajong’s Alen Deory.
“I want to depict these players’ struggle to make their presence felt at the top level after coming from humble backgrounds,” Mudoi said.
Actor Akashdeep will play the protagonist in the film which is expected to hit the screens in the middle of 2017.
“No one has tried a film on football in the Assamese film industry before. It’s a good sign. Let’s hope for the best,” noted film critic Chandan Sarmah said.
