It is not every day that a cop finds time to direct a film, but many a time, watching the struggles of men and women lends itself to creative pursuits.
One such effort has been that of the Commissioner of Police in Guwahati, Dr Partha Sarathi Mahanta, who wrote and directed a short film titled 'Ansuni Chinkhe' (Unheard Whispers), showcasing the trials and tribulations of an Indian woman.
The film received a warm reception during its online screening at the Marché du Film, the business counterpart of the Cannes Film Festival.
“The job is demanding ... it's usually busy since it's that time of the year when there is heavy monsoon downpour,” Mahanta says. A large part of Assam gets impacted every year, bringing hardships to the Northeastern state.
However, Dr Mahanta is no stranger to such difficult times, which led him to direct films in the first place.
'Ansuni Chinkhe' is a poem narrated by the National Film Award-winning actor Seema Biswas, where she portrays the challenging yet powerful story of how, in India, just being a woman can be a radical act—from a girl child's birth through adulthood.
Using poetry, the film brings forth the inherent contraction of a society where women are put through several hardships while also being revered as goddesses. However, the film doesn't end by casting a lens of pity, but instead showcasing her resistance and empowerment as she asserts her rightful place in society.
"The inspiration for this film is twofold: While I come from a family of very strong women—my wife being a police officer and my sister being an academician—my work also gave me insights into the harsh realities of being a woman," he says.
It is interesting how many public servants delve into writing, such as Upamanyu Chatterjee and Vikas Swarup, among others. "It gives you a creative outlet," Dr Mahanta remarked.
His film also received a warm reception at the 17th Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF) 2025, where he was awarded the best director, with Biswas winning best actress too.
