Globally acclaimed Assamese filmmaker Rima Das’ latest film Village Rockstars 2 – in which the little guitar-strumming country girl Dhunu (Bhanita Das) is all grown up now – recently had its India premiere at the 2024 edition of the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, showcased under the ‘South Asia Competition’ section. A sequel to the National Award-winning movie Village Rockstars, which was also India’s official entry to Oscars 2019, Village Rockstars 2 opened at the 29th Busan International Film Festival, where it won the Kim Jiseok Award.
Now a teenager, Dhunu still dreams of becoming a rockstar and starting her own band. The narrative follows her as she continues to swim in the river, climb trees and enjoy the little things in life, amid the bitter realities of her impoverished background. The cast also includes actors Basanti Das, Manabendra Das, Boloram Das, Bhaskar Das and Junumoni Das.
Appreciating Village Rockstars 2 in a social media post, noted filmmaker Hansal Mehta wrote, “Village Rockstars 2 by @rimadas13 is truly special and has a heavy sense of impending doom and underlying sadness unlike the first part. Beyond the achingly melancholic landscapes perhaps there is a sense of freedom and hope. Like [Satyajit] Ray’s Apu trilogy, Village Rockstars follows the mesmerising Dhunu’s life through the two parts. This one had me weeping and often choked at its juxtaposition of growing up, coping with grief, poverty, urbanisation, alcoholism and desire so seamlessly. Just gobsmacked by how the women directors I’ve watched this week are telling their stories. Gentle, brave, sensitive, honest and insightful there is much to learn from them and much more to admire about their craft. Thankful to be making films at a time when women like Rima are making films and inspiring us. Looking forward to the third part!”
Among Rima’s award-winning films include Man with the Binoculars: Antardrishti (2016), Bulbul Can Sing (2018) and Tora’s Husband (2022). All her movies are presented by her homegrown production house Flying River Films.
