New Delhi, March 10 (IANS) An Assamese film will throw new light on legendary 17th century princess Joymati, portraying her as a politically conscious and farsighted woman and not just as a symbol of love and sacrifice.

"Joymati is always portrayed as a sati, who sacrificed her life for her husband. But her political consciousness and farsightedness have always gone unrecognised. My film, 'Joymati - the Saviour', will concentrate more on that aspect," director Manju Bora told IANS here.

The Ahom princess was also the theme of the first Assamese movie by the same name, made way back in 1935 by pioneering filmmaker Jyotiprasad Agarwala.

Joymati was the wife of prince Godapani of the glorious Ahom dynasty that ruled Assam for about 600 years from 1228 AD to 1826 AD. During a black phase of the period from 1662 to 1677, king Chulikfa started killing or crippling the princes of the dynasty to prevent them from removing him from power.

Failing to trace prince Godapani, Chulikfa's army picked up his wife Joymati. But despite brutal and inhuman torture, the princess did not reveal the whereabouts of her husband. She finally died after continuous torture for several days.

"Love for husband was definitely a reason for Joymati's refusal to reveal the whereabouts of her husband. But she also knew that her husband was the only person who could end Chulikfa's terror rule. I am making this film to highlight the socially and politically conscious Joymati," said Bora.

"Joymati's self-sacrifice bore fruit later, as Godapani gathered strength in his exile and came back to oust Chulikfa from power," she said.

While it is always difficult to make a period movie, there is a need to look at them from a broader perspective, said the director.