Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part I is crushing box office records. The film crossed 200 crore domestically in four days. Worldwide earnings hit 500 crore. It stands as the priciest production in Indian cinema history. The movie features Surabhi Das from Assam. She plays Shrutakirti, the sister of Goddess Sita and wife of Prince Shatrughan. Das landed the role after years of grinding through auditions in Mumbai.
Assam’s influence hits deeper than acting. Costume designer Ajay Kumar used traditional bamboo and cane craft for the film’s gear. Master craftsman Jaynal Abdin led a team of 10 to 12 artisans from Barpeta district. They spent three-and-a-half years building props. They produced 30 to 35 pieces of specialized armor. This includes gear for Ranbir Kapoor and his co-star playing Lakshman. They also made bows, quivers, arrows, and footwear.
The artisans used Sarpat cane, jute, and dried leaves for their builds. They later added wood and rubber for better comfort. The team worked day and night to meet deadlines in Mumbai and Hyderabad. They slashed production times from three weeks down to six days. Goods flew from Barpeta to Guwahati Airport for transport.
The crew worked in total silence. They did not know the film's title during production. Recalling the process, Abdin said, "They took away several pieces of armour, one or two at a time, and each time the designs came back modified. A member of their team personally sat down with us to oversee the work." Kumar traveled to Barpeta repeatedly to check progress. Abdin noted, "It feels wonderful. We have received so much support, and our craft has been given the dignity of true art."
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