Namsai: Namsai in Arunachal Pradesh hosted the premiere of JACKPOT on Saturday, billed as the first Tai Khamti-language miniseries, marking a new entry in indigenous-language screen storytelling in the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, filmmakers, creators and members of the cast and production team attended the premiere, which focuses on contemporary stories told in Tai Khamti and rooted in local experiences.
JACKPOT is an original miniseries centred on dreams, ambition, money, friendship and choices arising from unexpected opportunities. It combines everyday experiences and local humour with contemporary storytelling in the Tai Khamti language.
In a message after the premiere, Mein said, “Some stories deserve to be told not because they are grand, but because they are ours.”
The deputy chief minister said watching the miniseries underscored the importance of young people telling their own stories in their own language and drawing on their experiences and humour. He said supporting such initiatives is an investment in confidence, creativity and cultural expression.
He also said young people in Arunachal Pradesh should know that their ideas have a place on the screen, on the stage and in the larger story of the state. He congratulated the team and encouraged young creators to continue experimenting and telling stories rooted in their communities.
Sources associated with the production said the series is expected to be uploaded on YouTube within the next couple of days.
The premiere also had a personal significance for the family of Chau Trinam Kapat, a resident of Wagun-II village under Piyong Circle who acted in the production but died before its release. His father attended the premiere.
Kapat, who was reportedly serving as IPR Secretary of the All Namsai District Students’ Union (ANDSU), died in a road accident on August 9.
The premiere brought together the production’s celebration and a tribute to Kapat, who was unable to witness the release.
The production also provides opportunities for local actors, writers, technicians and filmmakers while bringing Tai Khamti language and community experiences into contemporary screen storytelling.