Assamese Film ‘Hiraeth’ Reaches Barcelona Homes Through TV Broadcast

Assamese feature film Hiraeth, written and directed by Chow Partha Borgohain, reached television audiences in Barcelona on October 21, 2026, via local channel Betevé, ahead of its inclusion in the NETPAC Section of the Asian Film Festival Barcelona (AFFBCN) 2026.

The film’s television screening preceded the festival’s 14th edition, organised by Casa Asia from October 22 to November 1, 2026.

The broadcast gave Hiraeth a chance to reach local viewers beyond the conventional festival-cinema setting, bringing an Assamese story to an international audience.

The film follows Pori and her husband, Kom, who migrate to the city in search of a better life. Their aspirations, however, are met with hardship, exploitation and injustice as they struggle to survive in an unfamiliar environment.

Through Pori and Kom’s experiences, Hiraeth examines a social system in which the labour and suffering of the poor contribute to the prosperity of the privileged. The narrative explores aspiration, displacement, survival and the resilience of people whose voices often go unheard.

Speaking about the film’s selection and television broadcast, Borgohain said, “Hiraeth is a story about ordinary people who leave behind their familiar world in search of a better future, only to find themselves confronting harsh social realities.”

“Through Pori and Kom, I have tried to explore the struggles, aspirations and resilience of people whose voices often go unheard. I am delighted that the film has been selected for the NETPAC Section of the Asian Film Festival Barcelona. The television screening on Betevé makes this opportunity even more special, as it will allow our story to reach a wider audience beyond the festival,” the director further added.

The selection places the Assamese feature alongside Asian films at an international festival, giving Borgohain’s work a platform to reach audiences beyond India.

In their communication to the filmmaker, the festival organisers expressed their delight at including Hiraeth in the 2026 edition and highlighted the significance of its broadcast on Betevé in reaching a wider local audience.

The film stars Meghali Kalita, Ashim Kumar Sharma and Atanu Mahanta in key roles. The supporting cast includes Dipankar Sharma, Archana Bezbaruah, Vishwa Kinkar Baruah, Hemanta Rajkonwar, Smritirekha Chetia Handique, Pradipta Pran Bhattacharya, Rimjhim Deka, Rumi Sharma Pathak and Bhoirab Phukan.

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