Posted on 7 November 2025:
Patralekha: Namrata Datta’s Cinematic Tribute to Bhupen Hazarika Shines at IFFI
RENOWNED FILMMAKER NAMRATA DATTA RETURNS WITH PATRALEKHA, A SOULFUL ASSAMESE SHORT FILM THAT BLENDS MEMORY, MELODY AND EMOTION INTO A MOVING TRIBUTE TO THE LEGENDARY BHUPEN HAZARIKA. CONCEIVED ON THE OCCASION OF HIS BIRTH CENTENARY, THE FILM CAPTURES THE QUIET ACHE OF REMEMBRANCE AND THE TIMELESS BEAUTY OF CULTURAL LEGACY.
Patralekha has earned a proud place in the Indian Panorama section of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), set to unfold this November in Panaji, Goa.
Its international premiere will take place at INOX on November 25 at 4:30 p.m., with Namrata Datta and her team gracing the red carpet in celebration of Assamese cinema’s growing voice.
Produced and directed by Namrata Datta, the film is a collaborative gem—featuring actor Hemanta Devnath, singer-composer Rupam Bhuyan, actress Nandini Baruah, cinematographer-editor Jhulan Krishna Mahanta, and eminent critic Utpal Datta. Together, they have shaped a cinematic letter—Patralekha—that speaks of love, longing, and the enduring power of song.
In Patralekha, renowned filmmaker Namrata Datta paints a quiet portrait of love and longing, inspired by the abstract spirit of one of Bhupen Hazarika’s timeless songs. Set against both rural and urban landscapes of contemporary Assam, the film unfolds without dialogue—letting music and imagery speak in whispers and shadows. Shot entirely in black and white, Patralekha carries a poetic stillness, where every frame feels like a memory.
Hemanta Devnath and Nandini Baruah bring depth to the lead roles, while Ratul Barman’s cinematography and Jhulan Krishna Mahanta’s editing shape the film’s visual rhythm. Abhijit Barman’s sound and music design, paired with the haunting vocals of Rupam Bhuyan, create a soundscape that lingers long after the screen fades. The poster and title, crafted by Kolkata-based artist Saurish Mitra, complete this artistic offering—a cinematic letter that speaks without words, yet sings with soul.
Presented by the UD Foundation, Patralekha is the latest short film by renowned filmmaker Namrata Datta—written, directed and produced with quiet brilliance.
Known for her award-winning debut documentary Lakhahira, Datta brings over two decades of experience across print, sound and visual media. A celebrated writer and translator, she received the Government of India’s Senior Fellowship for her contributions to literature and culture, including her acclaimed Assamese translation of Gulzar’s Smritir Manuhbor.
“Today’s generation is more connected to the visual medium. Through Patralekha, we wanted to reinterpret one of Bhupen Hazarika’s lyrical creations in a visual form, to connect his message with younger audiences.”— Namrata Datta
With Patralekha, Datta offers a heartfelt homage to Bhupen Hazarika—a poetic blend of reverence and reinterpretation that speaks across generations through the language of cinema.
