Assamese film brings story of grief, empathy and identity

Aakuti (Longing), an Assamese film about emotions, memory and human connection, directed by Snigdha Roy, has been selected for the official lineup of the New York Indian Film Festival 2026, bringing a deeply personal story from the North East to an international audience.

In an interview with Meghalaya Monitor, Roy spoke about the film, the challenges faced by regional cinema and the importance of creating greater visibility for stories emerging from diverse linguistic and cultural landscapes.

Alluding to the popular Korean dramas, Roy argued that success often depends not only on storytelling but also on strong marketing, distribution and audience access.

“I think all these Korean dramas and whatever we have is more of the marketing, networking and distribution part. We need the same kind of importance and publicity. The moment they start doing that, there will be a shift. If you’re not giving the audience access, how are they going to know what we are creating in India?” Roy said.

The director emphasised that regional films often struggle not because of a lack of quality or creativity, but because audiences are not given enough opportunities to discover them, and festivals play an important role in helping regional stories find new audiences.

A Story About Loss and Longing

At the heart of Aakuti is the story of an eight-year-old girl, played by Kavisha Mahanta, who lost her mother as an infant and grows up searching for a connection to someone she can barely remember.

“She is trying to find the face of her mother, even though she doesn’t even remember her face,” Roy said.

Roy explained that she is less interested in delivering a direct social message and more interested in creating an emotional experience that resonates with audiences.

“Sometimes we do not understand what a child is going through,” the director said.

The Importance of Empathy

Throughout the conversation, Roy repeatedly highlighted empathy as a value that society needs more of today.

Asked whether films can encourage people to better understand the struggles of others, the director suggested that storytelling has the power to bridge emotional distances.

For Roy, cinema is not simply entertainment. It is a medium through which people can experience lives, emotions and realities different from their own.

The filmmaker hopes that viewers leave Aakuti not only with an appreciation for the story itself but also with a deeper awareness of the emotions that many children experience but may never openly express.

Recognition and the Role of Art

Roy also spoke about the importance of recognition for artists and filmmakers. While awards and accolades are often viewed as measures of success, she believes the true value of recognition lies in helping stories reach people.

“If we are creating art, especially films, we want visibility. We want the audience to experience it. The most satisfying thing is when people are resonating with it,” she said.

According to Roy, the connection between a film and its audience is what ultimately gives meaning to the creative process.

This belief is reflected in Aakuti, a film that seeks not only to tell a story but also to create an emotional dialogue between the screen and its audience.

Message for NE Filmmakers

During the interview, Roy also addressed young filmmakers from Northeast India who may feel discouraged by geographical distance, limited resources or the challenges of entering the film industry.

While acknowledging that pursuing cinema is not easy, she encouraged aspiring creators to remain committed to their passion and to understand their reasons for wanting to tell stories.

“It is difficult. I wouldn’t say it is very easy. But it’s important to know why you are there. If it is only for the glamour part of it, then it’s going to be very tough. But if it is because you really want to create something, it is possible,” Roy said.

Roy also advised emerging filmmakers to remain authentic and truthful to their own stories rather than allowing external expectations to shape their work.

Looking Ahead

While Aakuti continues its festival journey, Roy is already working on her next project. During the interview, the filmmaker revealed that she is currently writing a new story that remains in the early stages of development.

Although she did not disclose many details, Roy said the upcoming project will belong to a similar genre as Aakuti, continuing her interest in emotionally driven narratives and deeply human stories.

For Roy, such stories remain important because they create opportunities for empathy and understanding. As her work gains recognition on larger platforms, she hopes to continue telling stories that are rooted in local experiences.

NE on Global Stage

The selection of Aakuti at the New York Indian Film Festival marks another significant moment for Assamese cinema and for storytelling from Northeast India. The recognition highlights the growing presence of regional voices in international film spaces.

As Roy hopes, the film’s journey may ultimately remind audiences that behind every loss, every silence and every longing is a story deserving to be understood. Through its focus on empathy, emotional truth and human connection, Aakuti offers a powerful example of how regional cinema can transcend language and geography to touch hearts across the world.