In brief
At the age of 70, retired teacher Biana Watre Momin ventured from her tranquil life in Meghalaya to star in the film 'Eko', an unexpected twist that has drawn significant attention to her unique story. With no prior acting experience, Momin's powerful portrayal in a movie rich with cultural nuance challenges stereotypes about aging and gender in the arts, showcasing her talent and the potential for representation in Indian cinema.
At 70, Biana Watre Momin took a leap far from home. The retired college teacher left the Garo Hills in north-eastern India's Meghalaya state, where she led a quiet family life - caring for four dogs and doting on her grandchildren - and travelled more than 3,000km (1,864 miles) south to Kerala to act in a film.
She was dealing with a language she did not understand, embracing a role whose meaning would only reveal itself once the camera began to roll. The film was 'Eko', a Malayalam-language film that would change the course of her life.
For Momin, a member of the Garo tribe - one of the indigenous communities of Meghalaya, acting had never been an ambition, or even a distant curiosity. Growing up, my town did not have a cinema or theatre, she told the BBC. She was never trained in the performing arts, unless you'd call teaching in a classroom a kind of performance, she adds with a laugh.
A retired English literature teacher from Tura Government College, with a fondness for Romantic poetry, Momin had little reason to believe that a camera would one day frame her face. Yet when 'Eko' entered her life, it offered an unexpected adventure.
Shot on a modest budget and completed in 45 days, 'Eko', now available on Netflix, has emerged as a critical success. Much of the intrigue surrounding the film centres on Momin's performance, both for its quiet power and for her unusual profile.
Director Dinjith Ayyathan was seeking a fresh face for the film, which revolves around an elderly Malay woman escaping World War II turmoil, living in isolation and facing hidden motives of those around her. Momin's portrayal as Mlathi Chettathi, an enigmatic elder, is said to carry a moral core and a quiet authority.
Momin describes her experience as a mixture of apprehension and exhilaration: I had no experience in acting and was concerned about the long travel from home, but my daughter encouraged me to try something new.
Despite the challenges, including learning her lines phonetically and adapting to the rhythm of a professional film set, Momin impressively navigated the requirements of the film. Following the project's success, she is now encountering new opportunities in the film industry, emphasizing the importance of representation and the capabilities that come with age.
Momin's journey from an unknown setting in Meghalaya to the enchanting landscapes captured within 'Eko' stands as a powerful reminder that cinema can recognize and celebrate truth, embodying the experiences and voices often overlooked.
