Life & Legacy
Early Life
Kenny Deori Basumatary was born on 9 April 1980 in Guwahati, Assam, India. He spent his childhood in different parts of Assam, including Guwahati, Tezpur, and Lakhimpur. From a young age, he developed a passion for martial arts, acting, storytelling, and films. His training in karate, taekwondo, Wing Chun, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and freestyle wrestling later became a defining feature of his filmmaking style.
Education
Kenny Basumatary studied Computer Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. However, his love for cinema inspired him to leave engineering before completing the course. After returning to Assam, he worked as a newsreader for an Assamese television news channel and later moved to Mumbai to pursue filmmaking and acting professionally.
Career
Kenny began his professional career in Mumbai by attending screenplay workshops and auditioning for television commercials, serials, and films. During this period, he appeared in several Hindi productions including Shanghai, Phata Poster Nikhla Hero, Mary Kom, Yaara, Jawan, and Sam Bahadur. His portrayal of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Raag Desh and Kammara Sambhavam received appreciation from audiences.
His breakthrough came with the Assamese film Local Kung Fu, which he wrote, directed, produced, and acted in. Made on an extremely limited budget, the film became a cult classic because of its entertaining mix of martial arts, comedy, and relatable Assamese characters. It also earned a nomination for Best Assamese Film at the inaugural Filmfare Awards East.
Following its success, Kenny directed and starred in Local Kung Fu 2 and later expanded his filmmaking journey with Suspended Inspector Boro, Local Utpaat, Ki Kowa Dosti, Jiya, Bibo Binanao, and Local Kung Fu 3. His films are known for portraying Assamese culture, youth, social issues, and contemporary life while maintaining commercial entertainment.
Besides films, he has appeared in television and web series, including Paatal Lok Season 2, where he played DIG Kohima. He has also authored the book Chocolate Guitar Momos, showcasing his creativity beyond cinema.
Major Achievements
Kenny Basumatary is regarded as one of the pioneers of modern independent Assamese cinema.
His debut film Local Kung Fu became a cult classic despite being produced on a very small budget.
He successfully introduced martial arts comedy to Assamese cinema.
He has worked as an actor, director, producer, screenwriter, editor, and author.
He has represented Assamese cinema through Hindi films including Mary Kom, Jawan, Sam Bahadur, Shanghai, and Yaara.
His Bodo-language film Bibo Binanao received national recognition for promoting regional storytelling.
Awards and Recognition
Filmfare Awards East nomination for Best Assamese Film for Local Kung Fu.
Filmfare Awards East nomination for Best Director for Local Kung Fu.
Prag Cine Awards 2024 - Best Film for Jiya.
Prag Cine Awards 2024 - Best Screenplay for Jiya.
Prag Cine Awards 2024 - Best Dialogue for Jiya.
Best Feature Film for Bibo Binanao at the Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival.
Multiple Assam State Film Awards for Suspended Inspector Boro.
Prag Cine Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Raag.
Books Written
Chocolate Guitar Momos (2011)
Selected Films as Director
Local Kung Fu (2013)
Local Kung Fu 2 (2017)
Suspended Inspector Boro (2018)
Tomar Opekhyat (Web Series, 2021)
Local Utpaat (2022)
Ki Kowa Dosti (2023)
Jiya (2024)
Bibo Binanao (2024)
Local Kung Fu 3 (2024)
Selected Films as Actor
Luv Ka The End
Shanghai
Local Kung Fu
Phata Poster Nikhla Hero
Mary Kom
Raag
Local Kung Fu 2
Raag Desh
Kammara Sambhavam
Suspended Inspector Boro
Bornodi Bhotiai
Yaara
Local Utpaat
Ki Kowa Dosti
Jawan
Sam Bahadur
Local Kung Fu 3
Paatal Lok Season 2 (Television)
FAQs about Kenny Basumatary
1. Who is Kenny Basumatary?
Kenny Basumatary is an Indian actor, filmmaker, director, producer, screenwriter, and author from Assam, best known for creating the Local Kung Fu film series.
2. Why is Kenny Basumatary famous?
He is famous for introducing low-budget independent filmmaking and martial arts comedy to Assamese cinema through the Local Kung Fu franchise.
3. When was Kenny Basumatary born?
Kenny Basumatary was born on 9 April 1980 in Guwahati, Assam.
4. Which is Kenny Basumatary's most popular movie?
Local Kung Fu is widely regarded as his most popular and influential film.
5. Did Kenny Basumatary study at IIT Delhi?
Yes. He studied Computer Engineering at IIT Delhi but left the course to pursue a career in filmmaking.
6. Which Hindi movies has Kenny Basumatary acted in?
He has appeared in Shanghai, Mary Kom, Raag Desh, Yaara, Jawan, Sam Bahadur, and several other Hindi productions.
7. Has Kenny Basumatary won any awards?
Yes. His films have received several honours, including Prag Cine Awards, Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival awards, and Filmfare Awards East nominations.
8. What book has Kenny Basumatary written?
He is the author of the book Chocolate Guitar Momos, published in 2011.
9. Is Kenny Basumatary still active in the film industry?
Yes. He continues to work as an actor, director, producer, and writer in Assamese, Bodo, and Hindi cinema.
10. What is Kenny Basumatary's contribution to Assamese cinema?
He has modernized Assamese independent filmmaking by creating commercially successful low-budget films that combine action, comedy, and socially relevant themes while promoting Northeast Indian culture.
