Two Tripura Films Selected for KIFF 2025
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Agartala
- Nov 05, 2025
- 580
In a landmark moment for Tripura’s cinematic journey, two full-length feature films from the northeastern state have been officially selected for screening at the 31st Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF), marking a historic breakthrough for the region’s creative voices on the national stage.
On November 7, 2025, Nandan 2 will host the screening of Porobashi, directed by Monet Roy Saha, under the Linguistic Diversity category. The following day, Khaani, directed by Ploto Debbarma, will be showcased at Prachi Cinema in the Unheard India: Rare Language Films section, with a second screening slated for November 9 at Rabindra Okakura Bhavan.
Both films are rooted in Tripura’s cultural and linguistic landscape, and both directors hail from the state—bringing authentic regional narratives to the national screen.
Porobashi: A Journey of Memory and Identity
A graduate of Pune Film Institute and former faculty at Delhi University’s College of Art, Monet Roy Saha’s creative roots trace back to the sculpture department of Rabindra Bharati University. The son of renowned sculptors Bipul Kanti Saha and Dipika Saha, Monet transitioned from visual arts to filmmaking, earning acclaim for his short films and advertising work, including a tourism film for Japan.
His 108-minute drama, Porobashi, delves into the emotional solitude of a retired schoolteacher who migrated from Bangladesh to Tripura in 1965. The film culminates in a poignant return to the borderlands—symbolizing memory, displacement, and unresolved identity.
Shot partly in Tripura and West Bengal’s Kamarpukur to depict the Indo-Bangladesh border, the film is produced by Anil Chandra Debnath.
Khaani: A Tiprasa Tale with a Comic Twist
Unlike Monet’s formally trained background, Ploto Debbarma—a graduate of Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Ayurvedic College—forged his path in cinema through passion and experimentation. Initially a physician, Ploto was mentored informally by filmmaker Debarati Gupta, and later gained recognition for short films like Graviva of Dreams, Love and Achar, and Samthiyo Family, screened at film festivals in Brahmaputra, Manipur, and Mumbai.
His debut feature Khaani is a comedy-thriller set in the fictional tribal village of Khumpuimora, revolving around a deserted police station and the mysterious discovery of human remains. Shot entirely across South-West Tripura, Sepahijala, and Gomati, the film captures the vibrancy and humor of the Tiprasa tribal community.
Despite limited film infrastructure, Ploto completed the project on a modest budget of ₹1–10 lakh, with post-production assistance from Monet in Kolkata.
A Cinematic Milestone for Tripura
While Monet’s film stems from a foundation of formal art and cinematic craft, and Ploto’s from instinct and community storytelling, both share a deep connection to Tripura’s geography, language, and ethos.
Their dual selection at KIFF not only celebrates emerging artistic talent from Tripura but also highlights the growing recognition of rare languages and regional voices in Indian cinema.
As the 31st KIFF opens its doors to these powerful narratives, Tripura steps confidently onto the national cinematic map, signaling a new era for the state’s storytellers.