Filmmaker Bobby Sarma Baruah On Finding Power In The Simpler Stories

After two National Awards and several international accolades, what continues to drive Bobby Sarma Baruah? The Assamese filmmaker has dedicated her craft to telling authentic stories and capturing the voices, traditions, oral histories, and struggles of people often overlooked by mainstream cinema. 

"I try to find narratives that are simple but impactful; stories that are human," she told SheThePeople, describing the approach that keeps her work so raw and timeless. 

Self-taught journey to global acclaim

Bobby's eye for nuanced narratives can be credited to her lived experiences. She inherits her creativity from her parents, who were both artists. Bobby's beginnings were modest, but full of promise and imagination. "I got married young, at 19. After that, I continued my studies in mass communication while raising a family," she shared. "After years of working in radio and television, I found my way into filmmaking. I am a purely self-taught filmmaker."

Bobby pursued a PhD from Guwahati University's Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, on the reflection of local folk culture in Assamese cinema.' She also attended a Film Appreciation course at the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. Over the last decade, her work has consistently illuminated stories that matter and spark conversations.

Bobby's most recent work, her fifth feature film Rador Pakhi, is one such deeply moving story. It is inspired by the life of Assamese writer Sarmishta Pritam, whose journey with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) left a profound impact on the filmmaker. Through the protagonist Jyoti's lens, the film explores unique themes like disability, ambition, freedom, and independence. 

"Sarmishta's story and strength really inspired me as a filmmaker and as a woman. I wanted to highlight her struggle with disability and how it affected her daily, yet never came in the way of her aspirations. When I met her, her peace and inner spirit motivated me a lot to make this film," Bobby described. As the director, script-writer, and co-producer of the film, Bobby turns complex emotions like pain, dignity, and female agency into a strong, gripping imagery. 

Rador Pakhi captures the weight of both Jyoti's struggles and her everyday resilience, making it equal parts intimate, evocative, and empowering. Starring Sulakhyana Baruah (who is also co-producer, alongside Bobby and Basanta Kumar Baruah), Bina Patangi, Kamal Lochan, and Arun Nath, the film premiered at the 2024 International Film Festival of India in Goa. It has since earned massive global acclaim, even at the recently concluded Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025.

A legacy of diverse storytelling

This is not the only film that has cemented Bobby’s place as one of the most distinctive voices in Indian cinema. In 2018, her film Mishing, about urban legends in Arunachal Pradesh's Sherdukpen community, won her a Rajat Kamal at the 66th National Film Awards. Her 2022 film Sikaisal, made in the Tiwa language of Assam, won Best Tiwa Feature Film at the 70th National Film Awards in 2024. These are just a few of her many accolades.

Bobby described how she translates distinct cultural stories into a universally resonant language. "My films, after all, are just human stories," she said, matter-of-factly. "Even while filming, when I am communicating with local communities, I may not always understand their language or dialect, but the human connection is very powerful. For that, you don't even need translators or subtitles. That's why I believe cinema is a language of its own."

Bobby expressed that she wants to continue representing the marginalised voices and create films that inspire empathy, awareness, and understanding. "Cinema is a strong medium and an archive of [cultures], so I believe it is my responsibility to make films that are educational and create a positive impact, even decades down the line," she shared. 

When asked what kind of legacy she hopes to create in Indian films, Bobby had a straightforward yet uplifting response. Emphasising the importance of accessible storytelling, she said, "I want to tell simple stories, because I want to connect with all kinds of people, whether they are literate or not, whether they can speak our dialect or not. They should all feel seen."