National award-winning director Rima Das was enjoying the spotlight at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia when King of Romance and Badshah of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan broke the news to the audience that her second directorial venture Bulbul Can Sing won the 66th National Film Award in the ‘Best Assamese Film’ category.
Taken by surprise, Rima hugged Khan as the Assamese people in the audience erupted with ‘Joi Aai Axom’ slogans in joy. The Bulbul Can Sing also won the ‘Best Indie Film’ at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia on August 8th, 2019. The National Awards were announced on August 9th, 2019. Khan was the guest of honour at the festival.
“I know you are all here to welcome me but tonight is also special because we are going to screen Rima’s film Bulbul Can Sing. I am the bringer of good news…I have just been told that Bulbul Can Sing has bagged the Best Assamese Film national award. She doesn’t know this as it has just been announced. This is a very big achievement. Congratulations.”
The audience cheered for Rima in unison. Interestingly, last year, Rima bagged four national awards for her Oscar-nominated film, Village Rockstars.
“We had a great screening of #BulbulCanSing last night at Melbourne Indian Film Festival and a moment to celebrate when Mr Shahrukh broke the news of National Awards! Special thanks to all Assamese folks in Melbourne for your love and support,” Rima wrote on Facebook.
The film revolves around Bulbul, a teenage school-going girl who grows up in a rural setting in Assam and eventually falls in love. While she is on the verge of discovering her teen life, a tragedy strikes with her best friend. Bulbul, free-spirited, rebellious and stubborn, begins to question herself and her love life. The role of Bulbul is played by Arnali.
Bulbul Can Sing also opened the 2019 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. The festival will go on till 15th, 2019.
Congratulatory messages poured in for the director from across the country. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi congratulated Rajat Kamal Awardees Rima Das, Manju Borah and Bobby Sarma Baruah on getting Rajat Kamal Awards in the 66th National Film Awards for 2018 and made the people of Assam really proud.
“Congratulations to Bobby Sarma Baruah & Manju Borah for their exceptional works in the films ‘Mishing’ & ‘In the Land of Poison Women’ which won the Rajat Kamal for Sherdukpan & Pangchenpa languages respectively. Here’s more to Nari Shakti! Kudos,” Sonowal tweeted.
Guwahati | First Published: Aug 10, 2019
