Headhunting to Beatboxing took centre stage at the 77th Cannes Film Festival as AR Rahman, the acclaimed composer and winner of prestigious awards including the Academy Award, Oscar, and Golden Globe, unveiled the first look and teaser of the documentary.
Joined by esteemed figures Abu Mehta, Advisor to the Chief Minister and Chairman of the Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), and Theja Meru, Chairman of the Task Force for Music & Arts, Rahman captivated audiences with a glimpse into the captivating exploration of Nagaland’s musical journey.
Directed by Rohit Gupta and produced by AR Rahman himself, Headhunting to Beatboxing promises to showcase the rich musical heritage of Nagaland, from ancient headhunting rituals to the vibrant contemporary beatboxing scene, portraying the dynamic evolution of rhythm and sound over generations.
Elucidating more about the docu film, Rahman mentioned, “Music has this transformative power to change society and to connect and bring relevance to existence. Headhunting to Beatboxing is a celebration of this universal rhythm that unites humanity in its diverse expressions. We look forward to the start of its film festival journey and what better than Cannes which celebrates cinema to make the first announcement on the film.”
The documentary ensures to take audiences on an immersive and enlightening musical anthropological odyssey from the ancient traditions of headhunting tribes to the musical renaissance in the State.
Abu Mehta stated, “The gem of the idea came up when AR Rahman visited Nagaland to be part of the legendary Hornbill Festival. We knew we had to be part of it. The film is a collaboration of many creative minds, especially the TaFMA and masterfully captured by director Rohit Gupta. The real heroes are the musicians of Nagaland, who tell stories that go back to times immemorial and their music exemplifies the ambition of our youth.”
Besides, Mehta accentuated Nagaland, its rich cultural heritage and unique features to the global audience. Compromising of dozens of tribes and sub-tribes, he stated that Nagaland is an epitome of age old traditions, vibrant culture and diverse traditions which are exemplified by the tribal festivals that take place throughout the year. He added that “known as the Land of Festivals, the Nagaland experience is unique and special with the legendary Hornbill Festival being the flagship event”.
Mehta expressed gratitude to CM Neiphiu Rio and Information & Broadcasting Ministry led by Union Minister Anurag Thakur for the backing extended for the film launch.
He expressed gratitude to AR Rahman for his support and collaboration with Nagaland, highlighting how fortunate young Naga musicians are to be guided and mentored by such a legendary figure. He commended Rahman’s contributions, particularly his commendable initiative of adopting an orphanage to empower its children through music.
“This has been made possible due to the constant support and vision of our Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio,” stated Mehta.
“Five years in the making, the journey of this film has been a sort of metamorphosis for me. The rich and vibrant music today, transcending the scars of the past is something that truly blew me away during the making. I am excited to see audiences witness our hard work and the magic that exists in the music of Nagaland,” added director Rohit Gupta.
Speaking at the launch function, TaFMA Advisor Theja Meru thanked the musicians and artists of Nagaland highlighting that this is significant milestone for the community as Nagaland’s music story would be told in a positive manner to the global community.
The film marks Rahman’s second major foray into the field of filmmaking as a producer, with his previous production being 99 Songs. Its executive producers include Abu Mehta, Adam J Greig, Theja Meru, Rohit Gupta, Sheila Houlahan and Rohit Daas.
