Life & Legacy
Her journey into cinema began without any formal training. After studying Sociology and clearing the National Eligibility Test (NET), she moved to Mumbai in 2003 to pursue acting, performing in various stage productions. However, the world of filmmaking eventually became her true calling. She made her first short film, Pratha, in 2009, followed by her debut feature film Antardrishti (Man with the Binoculars). Shot with a basic DSLR camera, this film was screened at the Mumbai Film Festival and the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, establishing her as a promising independent filmmaker.
Rima Das received nationwide recognition with Village Rockstars, released in 2017. The film follows the inspiring story of Dhunu, a young village girl who dreams of owning a guitar and forming her own rock band. Made with non actors from her village and shot in natural light, Village Rockstars became a landmark film in Indian independent cinema. It won the National Award for Best Film and Best Editor, becoming the first Assamese film to represent India at the Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category. The film gained widespread praise for its realistic narrative, pure emotions, and immersive visual style.
Her next major work, Bulbul Can Sing, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2018 and continued her exploration of rural adolescence, identity, and societal norms. Critics appreciated its honesty and emotional depth. In the same year, GQ India recognized Rima Das as one of the 50 most influential young Indians, cementing her place among cinema's leading voices. She also served as a Brand Ambassador for the Share Her Journey campaign of the Toronto International Film Festival, working to promote gender equality in filmmaking.
Rima Das has also been honored for her contributions beyond filmmaking. She received a doctorate degree at the Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University convocation in 2018. Over the years, she has served on the juries of prestigious film festivals including the Berlin International Film Festival Generation 14plus, Mumbai International Film Festival, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, and Zlin Film Festival for Children and Youth.
Her creative versatility continued with films like For Each Other, Sunshine Dreamers, and the widely acclaimed Tora's Husband, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022 in the Platform Competition section. Shot over two years during the pandemic, the film captures the emotional complexities of small town life and personal resilience. Her work draws inspiration from master filmmakers such as Satyajit Ray, Ingmar Bergman, and Majid Majidi.
In 2024, Rima Das released Village Rockstars 2, a continuation of her breakthrough film. It premiered at the Busan International Film Festival and won the Kim Jiseok Award. The film further strengthened her global reputation as an independent filmmaker with a distinct artistic voice. She also contributed to the My Melbourne anthology project in 2024.
Today, Rima Das stands as a pioneering figure who has redefined independent cinema in India. Her films celebrate Assam's culture, nature, and people while inspiring a new generation of storytellers who aspire to create authentic cinema. Through her simplicity, dedication, and vision, she has shown how meaningful stories can be crafted without elaborate sets or large budgets, proving that passion and creativity are the true driving forces behind great cinema.