The Guwahati Asian Film Festival (January 22–25, 2026) will highlight India’s linguistic diversity by featuring films in Bajjika.
Bajjika is an Indo-Aryan language variety spoken in parts of Bihar and in Nepal, its name linked to the ancient Vajji (Vaishali) region. Once viewed mainly within the Maithili–Bhojpuri continuum, it has since gained a clearer cultural identity and is formally recognised as a separate language in Nepal’s 2015 Constitution.
Key Highlights of Bajjika at GAFF 2026:
- Film Featured: Aājoor (directed by Aaryan Chandra Prakash).
- Plot: The film follows a 10-year-old girl named Saloni in rural Bihar who fights for her education with the support of her Launda dancer father.
- Significance: Its inclusion highlighted Bajjika among a diverse range of Indian regional languages (including Assamese, Tulu, Karbi, Nepali, and Marathi) showcased alongside international Asian films.
- Competition Section: Aājoor was part of the Indian Showcase (Competition).
