2015
Padma Bhushan
India's third-highest civilian honour
Padma Bhushan · 12 National Film Awards
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Jahnu Barua
The first film my parents saw was the film I made.
The storyteller of Assam
Life & Cinema
Born on 17 October 1952 in Sivasagar, Assam, Jahnu Barua grew up in upper Assam and studied at B. Barooah College in Guwahati before training in film direction at the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. At ISRO he made more than 100 children's science programmes for the SITE satellite project.
His feature debut Aparoopa (1982) was the first NFDC-financed Assamese film. Over four decades his restrained, humane cinema — often told from a woman's point of view — has carried Assamese stories to festivals around the world, earning 12 National Film Awards, the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan.
Trained atFTII, Pune (1974)
LeadershipChairman, Indian Film Directors' Association (1993)
CinemaAssamese and Hindi features
FamilyWife Gayatri Barua, filmmaker; son Ozu Barua, actor
Photo on set
12National Film Awards
2015Padma Bhushan
2003Padma Shri
1988Honoured at Locarno
44 yrsOf feature films
Portrait
12×National
Film Awards
Film Awards
It all began in Sivasagar
A voice for ordinary lives
From his first feature in 1982 to Herowa Chanda in 2026, his films stay close to the land and its people — fishermen and forest rangers, children and teachers, families facing change.
“Films should connect to land, people.”
Explore the filmsFilmography
Four decades on screen
Award-winning Assamese and Hindi features, from 1982 to today.
Honours
Recognised by India and the world
A career honoured by the nation's highest film and civilian awards.
2003
Padma Shri
Conferred by the President of India
12×
National Film Awards
Including Best Feature Film for Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai
1988
Locarno Film Festival
Honours for Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai
2012
Bhupen Hazarika Award
Its first recipient
2004
Kamal Kumari Award
National award for culture
★
International honours
Getz World Peace Prize, Kodak Vision Award, FIPRESCI
2006
IFFI Jury
Jury member, 37th International Film Festival of India
Journey
From Sivasagar to the world
1952
Born in Sivasagar, Assam, on 17 October.
1974
Graduates from FTII, Pune in film direction.
1975–76
ISRO's SITE project — more than 100 children's science programmes.
1982
Aparoopa — his debut, the first NFDC-financed Assamese film.
1987
Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai wins Best Feature Film in India, then honours at Locarno.
1993
Chairman, Indian Film Directors' Association.
2003
Padma Shri, and Konikar Ramdhenu wins a National Award.
2005
Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara — his first Hindi feature.
2012
Baandhon opens the Indian Panorama at IFFI.
2015
Padma Bhushan.
2018
Bhoga Khirikee, produced by Priyanka Chopra.
2025
Acts in Paatal Lok Season 2 on Prime Video.
2026
Herowa Chanda releases, with son Ozu Barua's Assamese debut.
Watch on YouTube
The films, officially
Every link here goes only to official uploads, so each view supports the filmmaker and his teams.
Featured film — coming soon
The short film That Gusty Morning (2018) is available on the Large Short Films YouTube channel.
Gallery
Behind the scenes
Set photos, stills and moments from a life in cinema.
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Press & writing
Read about his cinema
EastMojo · Book
A book on his cinema
Dr Juhi P. Pathak's study of his Assamese films, 1980–1990.
The Hitavada · InterviewFilms should connect to land, people
On his journey, his stammer, and why young filmmakers need roots.
The Tribune · FeatureAn ode to memory
On That Gusty Morning and his films about family and memory.
Northeast Film JournalHerowa Chanda in theatres
His return to filmmaking after seven years.
Work with us
Screenings, licensing & talks
For festivals, colleges, platforms and the press.
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Screenings & retrospectivesFestivals, film societies and diaspora events
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Film licensingOTT, broadcast and educational rights
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Talks & masterclassesColleges, film schools and events
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Press & interviewsMedia requests and archive photos