Noted Indian director Arindam Sil is set to make a proposed Bangladesh-India joint venture titled “Balighar”, starring Arifin Shuvo, Nusrat Imrose Tisha and Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed from Bangladesh, along with Abir Chatterjee, Parno Mitra and Rahul Banerjee. Bengal Creations, who is producing the film jointly with Sil's Nothing Beyond Cinema, made the announcement in a press conference yesterday.  

Luva Nahid Choudhury of Bengal Creations and Arindam Sil exchanged a memorandum of understanding at the event, following which the film's first look was revealed.

Among others present at the event were Bengal Foundation chair Abul Khair, filmmaker Morshedul Islam, N Rashed Chowdhury, cast members Shuvo, Tisha and Nawshaba and noted Indian musician-composer Bickram Ghosh.

The film, which is based on popular Indian author Suchitra Bhattacharya, will feature music by Bickram Ghosh and Bangladeshi band Chirkutt. After receiving the government clearance for joint venture projects, the film is expected to begin filming in Bangladesh and India.

In his address, Arindam Sil expressed hopes of going on floors in March. “The film will be set in Santiniketan and Cox's Bazar,” he informed, adding: “It's about seven friends from Santiniketan, who meet after 12 years, and they come to Cox's bazaar together. The story revolves around them. To add, Rabindranath is a source of inspiration to all of them.”

“Arindam has made eight films so far; I have been with him in all of them. He's a childhood friend, and I am here for his ninth film. Expectations are definitely high,” said Bickram Ghosh.

Speaking at the event, Luva Nahid Choudhury said: “We are trying to do some good work through Bengal Creations. Maybe these films will not have great commercial success, but they will be tasteful cinema.”

Arindam Sil made his directorial debut with the film “Abarto”, which also marked Jaya Ahsan's first work in Indian cinema. He has since gone on to direct films of the Byomkesh and Shabor series.

Shuvo had a successful year in 2017 with “Dhaka Attack”, and has a number of releases this year including “Bhalo Theko” set to come out next month.

Tisha also had a good year with releases like “Doob” and “Haldaa” on the big screen. She has most recently wrapped up shooting for Mostofa Sarwar Farooki's “Saturday Afternoon”.