A new film titled "Operation Jackpot", highlighting the daring guerrilla missions of naval commandos during a pivotal moment in Bangladesh's Liberation War, is currently in production. 

The project, backed by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, aims to bring this crucial chapter of history to the big screen.

Following the political shift in August, concerns have arisen about the film's prospects, with fears that it might not be released. However, Swapan Chowdhury, head of the production company Antar Showbiz, provided a reassuring update in a recent interview with Ajker Patrika. 

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He emphasised that the government transition would not interfere with "Operation Jackpot", stating that all plans are in place for the film's release on Victory Day this year.

Production began in January at the FDC, yet, despite nearly ten months passing, the filming remains unfinished. When asked if the recent political changes had affected the film's progress, Chowdhury responded, "Since the political landscape shifted in August, many have told me my film would never see the light of day."

He added, "That assumption is completely unfounded. Some believe that because the project began under the previous government, it would focus on the Awami League and Bangabandhu. But this film is not about Bangabandhu or any political party. 'Operation Jackpot' is about a naval commando operation, without any political agenda. Whether Awami League or BNP, the government ultimately represents the people of Bangladesh, and this is a government-backed project."

On the delay in completing the film, Chowdhury explained, "At the moment, many things are in transition. The government is focused on reforms and addressing pressing issues, which has slightly slowed the film's progress. Nonetheless, the change in government won't stop the film's completion."

Reports suggest that while most of the filming is complete, a few scenes required reshooting after failing to receive approval from certain ministry officials. Chowdhury confirmed these adjustments but emphasised that they are minor and will not significantly impact production.

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He stated, "The ministry has made a few minor observations. Some areas need colour correction, and adjustments to the background music are required. I'm in constant communication with the ministry, and we are making the necessary changes, both locally and internationally."

Initially, some scenes were planned to be shot in Paris, but due to the current situation, alternatives are being explored. "We had planned to shoot a few scenes in Paris, and we're still aiming to do that. However, given the challenges, if it's not feasible, we are considering CGI for those scenes. Our goal is to release the film in December, the month of victory, and we aim to wrap up the remaining work by next month," Chowdhury explained.

From the beginning, "Operation Jackpot" has been mired in controversy. A few years ago, the Ministry of Shipping initiated plans to produce a film based on the events of the operation, with Giasuddin Selim set to write and possibly direct. However, when the project went to tender, Antar Showbiz secured the contract with a budget of Tk 21 crore, outbidding Selim's company.

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The film is now being directed by Delwar Jahan Jhantu, with India's Rajib Biswas serving as co-director.

Casting choices also sparked debate. Zayed Khan and Nipun Akter were initially cast in leading roles, but Zayed was unexpectedly dropped just before filming. Rumours suggest his removal was at Nipun Akter's request. Additionally, Bappy Chowdhury, who had initially signed on, withdrew due to unfulfilled promises from the production company.

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The film features a star-studded cast, including Ananta Jalil, Nipun Akter, Amit Hasan, Omar Sani, Emon, Nirob, Roshan, Shipon, Sanju, Joy Chowdhury, Pallab, Ilias Kanchan, Kazi Hayat, and Misha Sawdagor.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced a ban on the inclusion of leaders and activists from other political parties or non-political individuals into the party until further notice.

The directive was issued through a press release yesterday evening, signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

In the statement, Rizvi said, "For the information of all leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its affiliated and associate organisations, this is to inform that until further notice, no leader or activist of any other political party or any non-political individual can be included in any committee of the BNP from the ward to the national level, or in the committees of its affiliated and associate organisations from the ward to the central level."

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The BNP has instructed all its leaders, activists, as well as those in its affiliated and associate organisations to strictly adhere to this decision.

Besides, the party has announced a nationwide prayer program after the Friday prayers for those killed in the quota reform protests and pray for the recovery of the injured.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today vehemently criticised some ruling party ministers and lawmakers for allegations on BNP that it shook hands with Israel to topple the government.

“BNP has no link with Israel, rather it was with Palestinian and will remain in future,” Fakhrul said while addressing a press conference held at the party’s Nayapaltan central office in Dhaka.

The BNP leader came up with the remarks following allegations from the ruling party ministers and lawmakers that the party associated with Israel and hatched conspiracy to overthrow the Awami League government.

“BNP is a liberal political party. It believes in changeover of power only through election process,” he added.

BNP wants trial of those committed crimes against humanity during our Liberation War, Fakhrul said. “But the trial will have to be held in a transparent manner, ensuring international standard.”

Fakhrul said leaders and activists of the party and its different front and associate bodies will hold protest rallies across the country on May 15, demanding immediate withdrawal of the cases lodged against Khaleda Zia.

To meet the demand, the party men will also hold a rally in Dhaka on May 16, he added.

BNP reshuffled its central executive committee yesterday, a day after dissolving some city units over their failure to make the anti-government movement a success.

A total of 39 party leaders got new positions.

This sudden reshuffle has caused commotion within the party as acting chairman Tarique Rahman is restructuring the committees, keeping the senior leaders in the dark, BNP insiders said.

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They said the issue was not discussed at the meetings of the standing committee, the party's highest policymaking body.

According to the party charter, the acting chairperson will discharge all the duties of the chairperson in the absence of the latter.

And Tarique is now invoking that provision, said party sources.

The BNP charter gives the chairperson the authority to scrap any committee anytime, and the decision would be approved at the subsequent council.

The reshuffle brought younger leaders to important positions, while those with strong organisational abilities have been made advisers to the chairperson, BNP insiders said.

Some leaders who were selected for advisory roles believe they were assigned these positions as a form of punishment.

Apart from the executive body, BNP's international affairs committee has also been restructured. Party sources said the move was made because of the previous committee's failure to maintain close ties with the western countries, China and India.

BNP standing committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan will basically lead the committee to strengthen the relationship with those nations. However, Tarique is the chairman of the committee.

Soon after the January 7 national election, Tarique started working on restructuring the party's executive committee. There will be significant changes in the full committee in phases, with the introduction of new members, said a BNP leader familiar with the issue.

"Young leaders loyal to Tarique Rahman will be given important positions," said a senior BNP leader wishing not to be named.

A number of mid-ranking influential BNP leaders said Tarique is in fact  building his own circle by restructuring the committees to establish his absolute control over the party.

"He is doing this to make sure nobody challenges his decisions in future," said a BNP leader.

Many committees have already expired since the party held its last national council in 2017.

The BNP constitution stipulates that a council should be held every three years. However, restructuring of its committees are being announced through press releases.

"The issue of reorganising was discussed at the party forum, but we were not informed when and how it would happen," a senior leader told The Daily Star yesterday wishing anonymity.

Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, a standing committee member, said the decision on revamping the party was made earlier and is now being put into action.

On Thursday night, BNP dissolved the convening committees of its Dhaka south and north city units. It also announced dissolution of the convening committees of its Chattogram and Barishal city units.

The central committee of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, led by President Sultan Salahuddin Tuku and General Secretary Abdul Monayem Munna, has also been dissolved.

Some BNP leaders, including Zahir Uddin Swapan, Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Mujibur Rahman Sarwar, Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, and Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu, have been made adviser to the party chairperson.

Some party leaders said Swapan, Khokon, Sarwar and Alal have been punished through these appointments.

Syed Emran Saleh Prince and Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie have been promoted to joint secretaries general from organising secretaries.

Meanwhile, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, BNP's student front, announced its full-fledged 260-member committee yesterday, about three and a half months after the formation of its partial committee.

Rakibul Islam Rakib and Nasir Uddin Nasir have been made president and general secretary of the new committee respectively.

As many as 41 leaders have been given the posts of vice president, one has been made senior joint general secretary, and 111 have been named as joint general secretaries.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, along with members of the party's standing committee, is scheduled to meet Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus this afternoon.

Shairul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP's media cell, said, "At the Chief Adviser's invitation, Mirza Fakhrul will visit his residence at 4:00pm.

"Standing Committee members will participate under Fakhrul's leadership," he added.