North East India gets moment in the film spotlight with Rock On 2

Farhan Akhtar’s Rock On 2 was filmed in Meghalaya in India’s North East - a region, and a people, often overlooked by the rest of the country.

From left, Luke Kenny (who has a cameo), Arjun Rampal, Farhan Akhtar and Purab Kohli in a scene from Rock On 2, which was shot in Meghalaya. Courtesy Excel Entertainment

"I feel I get harassed on the streets more than other Indian women because of my looks," said Andrea Tariang, who plays an events-management executive from Shillong in the film Pink, which stars Amitabh Bachchan and was released in September.

"Just because I'm from Manipur, you're being more partial to the other contestant," said Priyanka Chopra's Olympic-­level boxer in the 2014 film Mary Kom.

"For your information, I understand Hindi," Manipuri hockey player Molly Zimik told a group of eve-teasers in Chak De! India, while her friend from Mizoram lamented being labelled a "guest in my own country".

North East Indians – those who live in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura – routinely face discrimination for their Mongoloid features, and are dismissively referred to using derogatory terms for people from China, Tibet and Nepal. In an attempt to curb the latest wave of harassment and violence that students from the North East face in the rest of the country, use of some of these terms is now a punishable offence in India.

Bollywood, too, has typically shied away from casting North East Indians in mainstream roles. One exception is Danny Denzongpa, an actor of Sikkimese-Bhutia descent, who has been part of classic Bollywood films such as Agneepath (1990) and Hum (1991).

Also, while holidaymakers have always returned impressed by the pristine beauty of north-eastern states, filmmakers instead choose to blow their budgets on audience-pleasing foreign locations – sometimes shooting a song sequence in the hilly tea-estate town of Darjeeling, hoping it can pass for Switzerland.

However, in the past few years, writers and directors have started to realise the untapped potential of sites in India’s North East, and the promising talent of its actors.

From Assamese actor Adil Hussain (English Vinglish) and Shillong's Patralekha (Citylights) to Geetanjali Thapa (Liar's Dice) from Sikkim and Pink's Andrea Tariang, performers from the seven states are slowly making their mark on Bollywood.

The Farhan Akhtar film Rock On 2, out on November 10, is one of only a dozen Bollywood movies that has been filmed in a North Eastern state: Meghalaya, which is often described as India's rock-music capital. Akhtar's protagonist, Adi, a rock musician/investment banker, wants to escape his chaotic life in Mumbai, settle down in a small town and start afresh.

The location choice was perfectly in keeping with the movie's script. However, Akhtar has said that Rock On 2 is also an attempt to direct positive attention to the North East, and is a tribute to its people.

“There are North East Indians in various parts of their own country being called outsiders, even facing physical violence. This film is a small attempt to bring the region into popular culture.”

Akhtar and co-actors, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli (who were also part of 2008's Rock On!!) and Shraddha Kapoor, spent two months filming in Shillong, Mawprem and other parts of Meghalaya.

Kapoor, who plays Jiah – a singer who reunites the band Magik after seven years – says of the experience: “I think Shillong was one of the best parts of working in this film. It was so green, beautiful and quiet. Performing before the crowd was amazing, they have a different energy.”

Rampal adds: “Even when I was not filming, I would be in Mumbai for a few days and be gone back. I didn’t feel like coming back because it is such a beautiful place with wonderful people.”

Akhtar, who toured Abu Dhabi with his band in August, also performed at the Shillong leg of the NH7 Weekender event in the Ri-Bhoi district last month. As an independent singer-songwriter, he says he was excited to discover local bands, one of which features in Rock On 2. In the film, Magik team up for a gig with Summersault, who are known for their tribal music and message-orientated lyrics.

"We thought it would be nice to feature a local band in the soundtrack," Akhtar told The National in August. "Summersalt have recorded one song in the local language, Khasi, and we're all excited about the reaction it might get."

The dance number, Ho Kiw Chalo Chalo, sung by veteran artist Usha Uthup and Summersalt's Kit Shangpliang and Pynsuklin Syiemiong, has since been released to high acclaim.

Akhtar has always had a particular talent for highlighting important causes: in the past, he has spoken out about issues plaguing Indian society, such as gender equality, rape, Aids awareness and religious intolerance. Now that he has trained his socially conscious eye on this remote corner – and relevant cause – perhaps the distant North East and its oft-dismissed talent will get a chance to shine on the big screen more often.