Assamese feature film Hiraeth, written, shot and directed by Chow Partha Borgohain, has been officially selected for the in-competition category at the 16th Chicago South Asian Film Festival (CSAFF), to be held from September 14 to 21, 2025.

The world premiere of the film Hiraeth will be held at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival alongside acclaimed works from across the globe, with the festivals opening night red carpet set for September 19 in downtown Chicago and the closing ceremony on September 21.

Shot primarily in Dibrugarh, Hiraeth is a social realism drama that follows the journey of Pori, a village woman whose life is upended by a devastating flood, forcing her and her husband to move to the city. There, they face the brutal realities of socio-economic inequality, corruption and exploitation. Starring Meghali Kalita, Ashim Kumar Sharma and Atanu Mahanta in key roles, the 100-minute Assamese-language film explores the resilience of those who live on societys margins and the injustices they endure.
Reacting to the selection, director Chow Partha Borgohain said: I am very overwhelmed and happy by the recognition and love this film is receiving. The story we have tried to tell is based on the harsh realities faced by those who are often ignored, they are the people who live on the margins, whose sweat and pain silently acts as a food for the progress of others at times. I am so grateful to all the people who helped me in this journey, especially to my two mothers  my own mother, who has always been my support, and my mother-in-law, who went one step further and helped finance this film. And to my wife, her trust and love are the reasons I was able to complete this work. This film is for all those who struggle with dignity and are never seen. Through Poris journey, I only hope to spark reflection on the inequalities we have come to accept as normal. Keep loving, keep working hard. Try not to hate anyone  life is too short, so make every moment count and live every moment to the fullest.

Other cast in the film includes Dipankar Sharma, Archana Bezbaruah, Vishwa Kinkar Baruah, Hemanta Rajkonwar, Smritirekha Chetia Handique, Pradipta Pran Bhattacharya, Rimjhim Deka, Rumi Sharma Pathak and Bhoirab Phukan.

Written and directed by Chow Partha Borgohain, the film is produced by Sengpem Borgohain, with Subhitya Borgohain and Ruchie Baruah as executive producers. Cinematography is by Chow Partha Borgohain himself while production design is by Jayanta Gogoi, editing by Kavin Adithya, music by AT Ram with Delepan Rajan and Dhiru as colorists, Nabapan Deka as sound designer, Rhitwik Raj Pathak re-recording mixer, location sound by Bishal Nath, VFX by Pixel Light Studio, Rza Boitlung, Dhrubajit Kalita; costume & make-up artist – Paran Sharma, Mandita Goswami and first assistant director as Victor Das.

Born in Along in Arunachal Pradesh on December 6, 1986, Chow Partha Borgohain spent his childhood in different districts of Arunachal Pradesh as his father worked in the Arunachal Pradesh Police service. His mother Sengpem Borgohain, also working in Arunachal Pradesh as a government employee, left her job after Partha was born. Since then, she served the family as a homemaker. After completing his schooling in Arunachal, Partha moved to Chennai, where he earned his degree in Visual Arts from Madras Christian College.  He then pursued further studies in film and motion photography at Mindscreen Film Institute. Since 2014, Partha has been forging a career as a freelance cinematographer and director.
The Chicago South Asian Film Festival, one of the largest of its kind in North America, celebrates diverse stories from the subcontinent and the diaspora, combining film screenings with Q&As, panel discussions, and cultural events.