The highly anticipated trailer for Mostofa Sarwar Farooki's political satire "840", also referred to as "The Great Bangla Democracy Pvt. Ltd.", was released Friday evening, offering a provocative glimpse into the absurdities of Bangladeshi politics. A sequel to his 2007 cult classic "420", the film promises to explore the darkly humorous manipulation of power from grassroots politics to national leadership.

Opening with a biting question—"When a man wins an election with 103% of the vote, what does he ask for next?"—the 3-minute trailer sets the stage for a sharp critique of political corruption. Nasir Uddin Khan, in the lead role, plays a flawed, power-hungry politician who will go to any lengths to secure public support and win a mayoral election.

Nasir's character embodies the epitome of hypocrisy, as he orchestrates a fire in a minority slum only to stage a grand relief effort in its aftermath, all for the sake of public approval. "Power is a great tonic," declares the delusional politician, before breaking down in frustration, wondering why, despite his "humanitarian" efforts, people still don't love him.

The trailer showcases Nasir Uddin Khan's magnetic screen presence as he flawlessly portrays a narcissistic, self-righteous character. From shady real estate dealings in Dubai to tearful outbursts and yoga retreats, his performance in "840" promises to be as memorable as it is unsettling.

The makers of "840" invite viewers to "peep through a small town to get the bigger picture," offering a microcosm of the larger political farce unfolding in Bangladesh. Written and directed by Farooki, the film is produced by Nusrat Imrose Tisha and will be released simultaneously in theatres, on television, and via OTT platforms.

Farooki, known for his piercing political commentary, hinted at the project earlier in a social media post, noting how political absurdity in Bangladesh has only intensified in the 15 years since "420". "Bangladesh has always been fertile ground for political satire. That's why we made '420' in 2007, but the level of absurdity has now surpassed everything. So we're coming back with '840'," Farooki wrote.

The original "420", which starred Mosharraf Karim, became a cultural phenomenon for its sharp critique of Bangladesh's political landscape. However, its unflinching satire eventually led to the show being pulled from the airwaves. Now, after nearly 16 years, Farooki returns with a sequel that expands into a web series, adapting to modern formats to reach a wider audience.

In "840", Nasir Uddin Khan leads a strong ensemble cast that includes Fazlur Rahman Babu, Shariar Nazim Joy, Nader Chowdhury, Marzuk Russell, and Bijori Barkatullah. Farooki himself reflected on the parallels between now and the time of the original "420", noting in a post, "I made '420' during the interim government, and now, once again during similar times, I've created something mischievous. It's strange how history repeats itself."

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