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, and travelled more than 3,000km (1,864 miles) south to Kerala to act in a film.
She navigated 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 movie that would change the course of her life.
Momin, a member of the Garo tribe, has acted without any previous ambition or curiosity in the arts. Growing up, my town did not have a cinema or theatre, she reflected. Despite her initial hesitation, she heeded her daughter's encouragement to step out of her comfort zone.
In Eko, Momin plays Mlathi Chettathi, an elder living alone in the mystical terrain of the Western Ghats. Her character anchors the film's narrative, embodying resilience against societal challenges.
Shot on a modest budget, Eko received critical acclaim, with Momin's quiet power and unique profile captivating audiences and critics alike. The production team initially struggled to find an appropriate actress before discovering her through her previous work in a short film about Garo folklore.
Momin's performance, praised for its authenticity and depth, highlights the importance of indigenous representation in the film industry. I am proud, as an indigenous person, that there are creative people willing to take a chance on me at this age, she shared, hoping to inspire more representation.
Filmmakers have since approached her for more roles, and although she enjoys her life back in Meghalaya, Momin remains open to future projects. Reflecting on her journey, she expressed, Old age should burn and rage at close of day, quoting Dylan Thomas, resonating with her experiences and contributions to the art she never expected to embrace.
