The 77th edition of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, which kicked off on May 14, provided a global platform for a wide range of films from around the world. Apart from selections in the competition section, Un Certain Regard, and other categories, this year saw many Indian films screened in the Marché du Film and Online Screening sections.
Among the films showcased in the Online Screening section was ‘Lachit – The Warrior’ by Partha Sarathi Mahanta, which was screened on May 18 for a global audience. This film, along with others, was part of an anthology titled ‘In Search of Sunshine’, which honoured and recognised these works since the Cannes festival traditionally does not screen short films.
Other notable Indian films included in the Online Screening section were:
In Search of Sunshine (Kuch Alagsa) by Eon Films
Satyashodhak by Nilesh Jalamkar
Navras Katha Collage by Praveen Hingonia
Poyyamozhi by Anna Sudhi
Am I a Hero by Khatib Mohamed
Lajja, The Shame by Mohan Das
The screening of these films at Cannes underscores the diversity and richness of Indian cinema, offering international recognition to talented filmmakers like Partha Sarathi Mahanta.
Written and directed by Parthasarathi Mahanta and produced by Mina Mahanta and Indrani Baruah, Lachit – The Warrior is an audio-visual film that chronicles the life and legacy of Lachit Barphukan. The film delves into the military commander’s ancestry, his charismatic personality, his diplomatic and naval warfare skills, physical prowess, unmatched valour, and, above all, his unwavering patriotism.
Set in seventeenth-century Assam, the story unfolds against the backdrop of a series of battles in 1662, where the marauding Mughals were defeating the Ahoms and capturing large territories. Amidst this turmoil, the Ahom king sought a capable leader to reclaim the lost land and restore the kingdom’s honour. Enter Lachit, a valiant man seething with anger at the enemy’s advances and the king’s inability to find a worthy commander.
Hearing of Lachit’s incredible valour, the king summoned him and entrusted him with the leadership of the army against the Mughals. The film narrates the chronological sequence of events, beginning with the launch of a series of offensives against the invaders. Under Lachit’s command, Guwahati was recaptured from the Mughals in September-October 1667.
Following a series of intermittent skirmishes, the battle of Alaboi was fought in 1669. The military campaigns culminated in the decisive battle of Saraighat in 1671, where Lachit’s forces completely vanquished the Mughals. This victory ensured that Assam remained free from Mughal dominance, highlighting Lachit’s pivotal role in shaping the region’s history.
