In Conversation With Award Winning Assamese Filmmaker Smriti Prakash Baruah

Smriti Prakash Baruah, the Duliajan-born filmmaker whose Yoodha: The Warrior recently won the Best LGBTQ Feature Film Award at the Utsav International Film Festival 2025, has chosen to make a film that lives in that unbearable space. This interactive session with Smriti Prakash Baruah highlights the director’s journey and her upcoming project- Ice Cream, which […]

Smriti Prakash Baruah, the Duliajan-born filmmaker whose Yoodha: The Warrior recently won the Best LGBTQ Feature Film Award at the Utsav International Film Festival 2025, has chosen to make a film that lives in that unbearable space.

This interactive session with Smriti Prakash Baruah highlights the director’s journey and her upcoming project- Ice Cream, which is not simply a story about loss; it is a portrait of what Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder looks like when it wears the face of devotion.

Kaushik Nath: Could you walk us through your journey as a filmmaker? What drew you to cinema, and when did you realise that queer narratives would be a focus of your creative work?

Smriti Prakash Baruah: Thank you for this opportunity to share my story. My attraction to the arts began very early, around the age of four or five.

I was initially drawn to acting, which eventually became my gateway into filmmaking. My parents were both passionate about acting and served as my primary inspirations; their encouragement fueled my creative spark.

However, the shift toward queer narratives happened during my Master’s in Social Work. As a student of social development, I realised how underrepresented queer stories were in our cultural landscape.

Cinema has a profound power to shape the human mind and influence social perceptions. I realised that if I wanted to highlight the struggles, resilience, and humanity of the LGBTQ+ community, I had to use a camera lens to make those stories visible.

Kaushik Nath: Your film ‘Yoodha’ won recognition at the Mumbai Utsav Film Festival. What was the creative intention behind this project, and how did winning at such a prestigious platform impact your trajectory as a filmmaker?

Smriti Prakash Baruah: My creative intention with Yoodha was to humanise the queer experience. I wanted to tell a story of identity and love in a way that felt universal, allowing any viewer to connect with the emotional journey of a Trans person.

Winning the “Best LGBTQ Feature Film” award was a deeply validating moment for our entire team.

Recognition at that level is a powerful motivator; it brings joy to the craft and inspires me to push the boundaries of my storytelling even further.

Kaushik Nath: In your films, how do you approach the representation of queer identities and experiences? Do you feel a particular responsibility as a queer filmmaker, and how do you navigate authenticity versus cinematic storytelling?

Smriti Prakash Baruah: I approach every story with a commitment to lived reality. I strive to present queer identities in a “general” way—meaning, I focus on the human emotions that everyone understands, which helps bridge the gap between the screen and the audience.

As a filmmaker, I feel a heavy responsibility to maintain the dignity and authenticity of these stories. I must be incredibly careful not to send the wrong message or fall into stereotypes. For me, filmmaking is a balance: I use the “cinematic language” of light, sound, and drama to keep the audience engaged and entertained, but the core of the story remains rooted in sensitive, authentic truths that deliver a meaningful social message.

Kaushik Nath: You are currently working on a short film project called ‘Ice Cream.’ Can you tell us about the premise, themes, and what makes this particular story important to you?

Smriti Prakash Baruah: Ice Cream is a psychological drama that explores the delicate, often blurred line between love and delusion. It delves into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) within the specific cultural nuances of Assamese society.

This project is particularly important to me because it is a tribute to the human spirit’s capacity for healing. It looks at how “spiritual adoption”—a deep, soul-level connection—can help a person navigate the darkness of grief and mental health challenges.

Kaushik Nath: How have your roots in Duliajan, Assam, shaped your filmmaking? Do you see your work as contributing to Assamese cinema?

Smriti Prakash Baruah: Being born and raised in a beautiful village in Duliajan has shaped my entire perspective. My grandfather and family were social reformers, and our home was always a place where people from all walks of life brought their problems and stories—seeing these diverse lives up close since childhood has sparked many questions in my mind.

Whether my work contributes to the legacy of Assamese cinema is ultimately for the people of Assam and my audience to decide. However, my roots are the foundation of my visual language, and I hope to bring a fresh, socially conscious perspective to our regional industry.

Kaushik Nath: What influences your choices in cinematography, sound design, and visual language? Are there specific filmmakers or traditions that have shaped your aesthetic?

Smriti Prakash Baruah: I believe filmmaking is more than just a technical exercise; it is a work of art created by the soul.

When I plan a scene, I listen to my intuition and the natural world. Sometimes, I feel like the very soil tells me how a shot should look or what the ambient sound should be.

While I am deeply inspired by the journeys of many international, national, and regional masters, my final aesthetic is always guided by the “voice” of the story itself.

Kaushik Nath: What challenges have you encountered in creating and distributing queer cinema in India?

Smriti Prakash Baruah: Honestly, I have been heartened by the response. I haven’t faced significant negativity or “disturbing” pushback.

From the shooting stage to the streaming, when people hear the heart of the story, the response is generally positive. I feel that society is becoming more sensitised.

While we aren’t at 100% acceptance yet, there is a visible shift toward treating the queer community with the dignity and respect they deserve, which is a very encouraging sign for the future of Indian cinema.

Kaushik Nath: Who is your primary audience, and what impact do you hope your films have?

Smriti Prakash Baruah: My primary audience is anyone and everyone—regardless of religion, caste, gender, or economic background.

Since I primarily film in Assamese, the people of Assam are my immediate community. I have been deeply moved by the emotional responses I’ve received; seeing an audience member truly “feel” the story is the greatest reward. I hope my films act as a bridge, fostering empathy where there was once misunderstanding.

Kaushik Nath: Beyond ‘Ice Cream,’ what are your future aspirations as a filmmaker?

Smriti Prakash Baruah: This is only the beginning. I see myself as a lifelong student of cinema, with much to learn and many experiments to conduct.

Beyond Ice Cream, we have three new projects in the pipeline. My goal is to keep evolving, exploring new formats, and continuing to tell stories that demand to be heard.

Kaushik Nath: What advice or encouragement would you offer to emerging filmmakers from underrepresented communities?

Smriti Prakash Baruah: My advice is simple: Never let your financial background or your location limit your creativity.

Creativity lives in the mind, and if you decide you are going to do something, it will happen.

Obstacles are not there to stop you; they are there to teach you, to empower you, and to make you a stronger storyteller.

Do not fear the problems—keep your eyes fixed on your goal. My love for storytelling and my connection to the audience is what keep me moving forward, and I hope you find that same spark within yourself.

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