Dr A Murry who wrote the screenplay, directed and played the main role in the movie. He runs a medical clinic at Khermahal Road, Dimapur now.
K Shitsucha
Dimapur | July 29
Film making during the 1990s was a rare scene in Nagaland. It was then that 32 years old Azel Murry, mostly known as Dr. A. Murry, inspired by his friend S Ethisham, a movie director, together with a shared love for Hindi films, decided to embark on a journey of adventure, and after experimenting with a few short English action movies like Mr. X, Savage Commando, and Solid Revenge, brought forth the first Hindi feature film in Northeast India, Khazane Ke Khoj.
A poster of the movie Khazane Ke Khoj, the first Hindi feature film in Northeast India, which was released 23 years ago.
The entire screenplay is written and directed by Murry. He also plays the leading role, Rony, an undercover CBI agent. The film revolves around a gang of thieves in the quest of an old treasure chest smuggled from Singapore, and buried at an abandoned coast called Khatara Junction. Drawing inspiration from Bollywood movies, the film contains classic elements of Hindi movies such as dramatic action and fight scenes, dance sequences, and soulful, romantic music. As the plot progresses, truths are revealed, partnerships are broken, lives are lost, and lovers are united.
The shooting for Khazane Ke Khoj, began in November 2000, and went until April 2001. The film was shot at various places of Assam and Dimapur. With the rarity of film making in the state, and lack of revenue from the state government for movie production, Murry had to produce the film at his own expense, and by taking a loan. With around 30 cast members, the entire production cost approximately 45 lakhs.
Narrating the initial production stage, Murry recalled how they had to hire cameras, lights, film reel and other equipments from Kolkata and Manipur. With limited budget and a dream, the crew had to improvise, using personal belongings such as cars and costumes. Owning to the political situation in the state during the early 2000s, the crew had to hand craft the guns and weapons, and use firecrackers as alternatives for explosives. To reach a wider audience, the film was Hindi dubbed from Mumbai and Kolkata.
The first screening was on November 22, 2001 at Friends Cinema Hall, Dimapur, followed by the second at Hill Star Cinema Hall, Dimapur. Later, the film was screened at other places like Shillong, Assam Rifles Cinema Hall, Wokha, and NAP Hall, Chumoukedima. ‘Back then, the tickets were price at Rs. 4 and Rs. 5, and the hall charges were Rs. 9000’, Murry said.
Murry recalled how back then, due to lack of lack of social media, and the high advertisement rate, the film could not get the publicity and promotion it needed. The film received a few press coverage from the state by local newspapers like Nagaland Post, and Nagaland Page, and local papers from Kolkata and Assam.
“The response from the state was good,” Murry stated. “However, the film also lacked standard video quality, and sound technology, refining which would cost a huge sum of money. Additionally, loan interests rates were 10-15% back then,” he added. Faced with all these constraints, in 2004, the film rights were sold to Dura Film Production.
Over 2 decades later since the movie released, Dr. Murry, 56, now runs a medical clinic at Khermahal Road, Dimapur. Talking about how cinema and film making in the state has evolved over the years, Murry said that it has gone through a lot of development and transformation, but it still has long way to go.
The slackness of the government is somewhat responsible for the mediocre performances of regional cinemas. Talking about the present film scene, he said that most states in India have their own film schools. With the state falling short in providing proper infrastructure, talented actors who desire to make it big in the film industry are forced to travel to bigger cities in search better opportunities.
“We do need to have more film institute in our state,” Murry suggested. This will not only provide platforms for the local talents but also provide employment opportunities.
For aspiring filmmakers in the state, he encouraged them to keep on pursuing their passion but also keeping in mind the condition of our state, he advised them to have an alternate source of income to sustain it.
The writer is a student of Master of Journalism and Mass Communication at Nagaland University, Lumami. She is currently undergoing a month-long internship in The Morung Express.
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