Filmmaker from Nalbari Chinmoy Barma in conversation with Hello Guwahati

Ishita Bora: Chinmoy Barma is the Indian filmmaker, art blogger, mechanical engineer, writer, the creator of the much-awaited horror short film “Ghorapak” and the all-rounder, who hails from Nalbari, Assam. Inspired by real-life stories, he made some versatile movies that attract the audience and appreciated by everyone.

He is an amazing artist who loves exploring various art forms. As a student too, Barma stood 7th position in the 10th state board exam in SEBA, and then he worked as a Digital Marketer for various companies for around 1.5 years.

In conversation with Hello Guwahati, Chinmoy Barma reveals his own story and the journey of his film direction.

Let’s begin the interview:

From where did you get inspiration for making films?

I consider myself a story-telling artist. I work to convey to the viewer the exact palpable sense of life I feel that directs me to create the piece. My interest in film-making actually began when I was seven years old. I always wanted to make films, so after I grew up, I started working on a screenplay for a horror movie that I wanted to make when I am older. And the real opportunity came when I was in my first year of engineering. I along with my team participated in a spoof-making competition where we made a spoof of old Bollywood movies and new-age movies. We were so hooked that we made the video in 4/5 days. We won first place.

Your first short film “Flip” won the Best Screenplay award in Incandescence 2015. Tell me something about this.

Yes, my first short film “Flip” won the Best Screenplay award in Incandescence 2015 and first position in director’s cut category in EXURBIA hosted by Guwahati College of Architecture. Bhaskarjya Bhushan Sarma has edited the film, and the role has been played by himself and Abhinab Nath. It was based on multiple personality disorder. The influence came from my favourite film FIGHT CLUB by my favourite director David Fincher. It was a different kind of movie.

People love each and every movie that you make. Even I have watched your movies and noticed that you make horror and thriller movies. What was your plan for making such thrilling films?

As I’ve already mentioned earlier that I like experimenting with horror when it comes to create films, I believe that horror or thriller films amuse people more than the usual genre.

How love for art amazes you?

Love for art was parallel. I have been associated with art since childhood – falling in love with painting at the age of 4, having written my manuscript for my horror novel at the age of 7, it was always there. I have been running my art blog at www.rhapsodicsoulsblog.wordpress.com. The art form of film-making was introduced to me in 2014 when we participated in a spoof making competition and we won. It was love at first sight for me when I saw the audience cheering. It was the satisfaction of conveying the emotions successfully.

What do you want to tell your fans about your artwork?

I find passion in whatever I do. I never go searching for art and creativity, they just seem to find me. Even when I am at work or at an event, ideas come to me and I note them down to work on later.

You do sand art too. Can you tell me something about it?

I started practicing sand art when I was working on my second short film XAATHOR, which has a Northeast connect. The film brings together elements of Bhaona and pressure to live up to the expectations of others. In the film, apart from conventional camera shots with actors, I used sand art to explain a concept. Also, in my engineering college, I along with my team made a promo video for River Talks, using sand art, and also made a welcoming art piece for Ruskin Bond. Prag News also invited me to pay homage to the lives that were lost on 30th October 2008, as a result of the serial bomb blasts. I felt privileged and I took it more seriously.

How do you inspire people to follow their passion?

People often have this notion that you cannot follow different dreams at the same time. I differ with that opinion. We just have one life. If I am getting the chance to live the same life from different perspectives, I won’t shy away. I am someone who would cook multiple dishes in a single pan in an hour, without worrying about perfection. Because that’s not in our hands, but the efforts are. Overall, my journey has been like that of an explorer. I will give anything to stay out of the comfort zone. I am deeply emotional and I love to find emotions in my art as well. I understood looking at the rain through the window is not the same as getting wet and feeling the rain. So, I started converting my emotions to art.

Coming to “Ghorapak,” the shoot is already completed. And you immediately announced the first look of your next project “Jokhini” on social media. How did you come up with the idea for this film?

It was my mom who told me the tale of Jokhini. She used to tell me that she felt the presence of a heavenly being when I was in her womb. It is said, it comes to bless the child and some other said, it snatches the child from the mother. It was fascinating to me, then and even now. So why not a film on this topic? Here we go. The story is written beautifully. It will show the unity of two cultural beliefs. Can’t wait to get started on this project next year after Ghorapak is out.

Last but not the least, what do you want to tell the audience about us as a new digital media? Any feedback or suggestion you want to give?

As for your work, Ishita, I have already told you and I have seen your work and heard that you work almost 24X7. So, it’s really inspiring for others to work harder. And as a new Digital Media House, what I want from you is to cover that kind of news people should be aware of. Mostly, people are seen covering news of celebrities because it has that kind of reach. But people should know about what’s going on in their locality too. It might be not very effective news for that moment, but it’s going to help someone, and it’s going to help in the process in the long run. So, that’s what I want from you because a lot of people as well as students, nowadays, are turning into digital readers from newspapers.

Let’s have a look at Barma’s movies:

FLIP – 2014

XAATHOR – 2015