Guwahati: The short film Ansuni Chinkhe, written and directed by Dr. Parthasarathi Mahanta, IPS, has won the Best Asian Short Film Award at the Kollywood International Film Festival, which concluded yesterday in Chennai.
The experimental film, based on a poem by Mahanta, is performed as a soliloquy by acclaimed actress Seema Biswas.
Produced by Mina Mahanta and Indrani Baruah, Ansuni Chinkhe has garnered acclaim on multiple platforms, winning the Best Short Film Award at the Jaipur Film Festival, Delhi Film Festival, and Independent Film Festival Kolkata.
It was also screened at the prestigious Marché du Film at Cannes, France, further solidifying its global recognition.
Mahanta, despite having no formal training in filmmaking, credits his experience working on various film projects from concept development to production.
Speaking about his journey, he shared that resource constraints and time limitations as a police officer led him to explore short films and documentaries, which could be produced on smaller budgets.
The film’s narrative, delivered by National Film Award-winning actress Seema Biswas, portrays the powerful story of a young girl in India navigating societal challenges from birth to adulthood.
While it highlights the adversities faced by the protagonist, Ansuni Chinkhe also serves as a beacon of hope and empowerment, embodying resistance and the possibility of change.
“Ansuni Chinkhe is not merely a tale of suffering but a cinematic expression of resilience,” Mahanta explained.
When asked about balancing his demanding career as an IPS officer with his creative pursuits, Mahanta emphasized the importance of prioritisation.
“Time management as a police officer is never easy. Emergencies are unpredictable, and duties often extend beyond scheduled hours. However, I’ve learned that setting clear priorities allows me to engage in both my professional responsibilities and my passion for filmmaking,” he said.
