Rajni Basumatary – Film director, screenwriter and actress from Assam

Rajni Basumatary is a cine personality associated with Bollywood and Assamese cinema. In Bollywood, she plays supporting roles on screen, and in Assamese cinema, she is better known as a film director. Already left an impression as film director, screenwriter and actress, she is best known for her role of Mary Kom’s mother in 2014 Hindi film Mary Kom starring Priyanka Chopra. Her film journey began with Assamese movie, Anurag (2004) where she appeared as an actor, scripted and produced the film as well. She is also known as rights advocate.

Rajni Basumatary had a bitter past through violent insurgency in Assam in the 1990s

Basumatary was born into a Boro family. She hails from Rangapara town, Assam. She grew up during politically violent times during state insurgency and witnessed emergence of separatist groups during her childhood. She lost her dearest kin during that turbulent period, who was never found. Years later she penned, directed and acted in Jwlwi: The Seed, taking inspirations from her own childhood.

After completing her undergraduate degree in Assamese literature from Handique Girls College, Guwahati University, she moved to Delhi in 1995. She started making several corporate films. In 2004 she turned a film producer and screenwriter with the Assamese film, Anurag. She also marked her acting debut with this romantic film in a supporting role.

Rajni Basumatary became a part of ad campaigns since 2000s

She appeared in a few ads and also accepted supporting roles in Bollywood films. Mary Kom and The Shaukeens are her early works. Mary Kom gave her a big break to Bollywood in 2014. She also became a part of several independent films such as Shuttlecock Boys and III Smoking Barrels. She has acted in a few Assamese films too.

In 2014, she also made her directorial debut with Assamese feature film Raag, which featured Adil Hussain, Zerifa Wahid and Kenny Basumatary. Raag was nominated for the Prag Cine Awards in 14 categories including Best Director and Best Screenplay for Basumatary, and the film was a box office hit too. Jwlwi – The Seed (2019) was her second directorial, which was screened at various international film festivals. She was seen in 2022 Bollywood film, Good Bye. She marks her OTT debut with Rana Naidu.