National Award-winning filmmaker Sanjib Sabhapandit returns with a new film after a decade; his last was Dikchow Banat Palaax (Way of the Soul). Titled Akash Henu Nodir Naam (Ballad to the Winds), the film explores queer identity and issues of acceptance within a middle-class family in rural Assam.
Scheduled for release on April 3, 2026, the film stars veteran actors Bishnu Kharghoria, Rina Bora, Jyoti Bhuyan, and Atul Pachoni, alongside Chanku Niranjan Nath and Atanu Mahanta. While the film addresses a highly relevant subject, especially in the context of Assamese households, it does not quite match the depth and impact of Sabhapandit’s earlier works.
The film previously won the Best Film Award at the 22nd Third Eye Asian Film Festival in Mumbai and the Best Screenplay Award at the 8th Sailadhar Baruah Film Awards (NE) in 2025. It was also screened during the awards. The story revolves around a scholar of the Brajavali language, played by Bishnu Kharghoria, who must come to terms with a new truth about his son.
Produced by Canvascope Production with Utpal Kumar Das as producer, the film is set to release on more than twenty screens across Assam. Locations include Nazira, North Lakhimpur, Sibsagar, Bihpuria, Dhemaji, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Sonari, Bongaigaon, Tezpur, Mangaldoi, Rangia, Pathsala, Hajo, and Guwahati.
While the film presents a sincere attempt at telling a queer story, its overall production quality feels noticeably subpar. The visual treatment is inconsistent and often distracting. Many scenes appear over-processed with excessively high contrast; greens look unnaturally saturated, while several interior shots are underlit, with darkness obscuring details. The cinematography is credited to Parasher Baruah, and only he can fully explain what went wrong.
The story design is also confusing. The director seems conflicted about whether to focus on the parents’ emotional dilemma or the joyous, carefree moments shared by two boys in love. Both threads unfold simultaneously, creating tonal shifts. On the positive side, the film subtly includes aspects of Brajavali language, Assamese culture, and socio-cultural commentary.
In terms of acting, performances by Chanku Niranjan Nath and Atanu Mahanta are unremarkable, but Bishnu Kharghoria and Rina Bora carry the film. Overall, Akash Henu Nodir Naam (Ballad to the Winds) had its intentions right but struggles to convey the emotions effectively. Moreover, it arrives late, as Assamese films like Satya – The Truth (2024), Xitore Xemeka Rati (2025), and Fireflies – Jonaki Porua (2019) have already addressed stories of queer characters confronting family acceptance.
These films rely heavily on the tension caused by the protagonist’s identity and the resulting family discomfort as the narrative moves toward acceptance or rejection. While these conflicts remain important, they now feel repetitive, and Sabhapandit’s film adds little novelty.
Additionally, scheduling the release during the Assam Assembly Elections 2026 seems risky. Assamese films have struggled at the box office recently, and with the ongoing craze for Dhurandhar 2, even a single empty screening could lead to the film being pulled the next day.
Such logistical challenges are well-known in the industry, and releasing Akash Henu Nodir Naam at this time gives the impression that the producers prioritized completing the film over ensuring audience reach. Moves like this could be detrimental to Assamese cinema and are unlikely to help it regain visibility or thrive.