PANAJI: Director of Indian Panorama opening film ‘Semkhor’ at 52nd IFFI, Aimee Baruah has drawn the attention of the mainstream society towards a completely primitive way of life existing in a region named Semkhor, in the state of Assam.
Aimee, who is a renowned Assamese actor, revealed that she had a very challenging time while making the film as there were a lot of misconceptions like associating black magic to Drone etc; in the village, where nobody is educated despite there being a school. The families residing there oppose the education, healthcare and even electricity facilities that government wants to provide and render the efforts of the authorities useless.
Aimee disclosed that she wanted to give an opportunity to local artistes in the film but that did not work out. Hence, she had to mould herself into the lead character by adapting to their way of life – some of her tasks included not wearing a footwear for months together so that her heel cracks, not washing and combing her hair, sleeping on floor etc.
“The people in Semkhor are so happy that they resist any attempt from us to educate them. They insist on preserving their original identity. They do not even eat anything from outside their village,” said Aimee, who has made her debut as a director with this film in Dimasa dialect.
“I understood that life can go on with absolutely less requirements otherwise I was obsessed on certain needs,” was Aimee’s learning experience. She emphasised that she wants the people of Semkhor to gain some education so that they can improve their lives. And as such, she has requested the government to do the needful.
