‘Omar Faruker Maa’: A heart-wrenching story of a mother’s endless wait
Omar Faruk, a young freedom fighter, leaves his home during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971 to earn freedom for his beloved land. Before leaving his house, he promised his mother that he would return to her and have a meal together. However, life had other plans, and brave Omar Faruk gets imprisoned by the Pakistani army, where he was brutally tortured to death. His mother could not accept the truth, and until her last breath kept waiting for her son to return.
Based on the true story of the freedom fighter Omar Faruk, the government granted short film "Omar Faruker Maa'', was released on December 16. The film premiered at nine cinema halls across the country, and the next day it had world premiere on BTV and BTV World. This project marks the debut directorial of renowned photographer M M Zahidur Rahman Biplob.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The short film features Dilara Zaman, Khairul Alam Sabuj, Sayed Babu, Naznin Hasan Chumki, and Bonna Mirza among others. The script has been written by eminent playwright Masum Reza.
"I read the story a long time ago in the newspaper, and from that time I wanted to make a project on that," shares the director, "I immediately shared the storyline with Masum Reza, and he liked it very much, hence he started working on the script." The director then submitted it for a government grant. "We were lucky to have received the grant of BDT 10 Lakhs, in the 2017-18 fiscal year." The rest of the budget was borne by the director himself.
Dilara Zaman donned the role of Omar Faruk's (played by Sayed Babu), mother in this short film. "Initially I did not want to take up this project, but now I feel extremely happy to be a part of this short film," shared the veteran actress. "The project was shot in Pirojpur, at Omar Faruk's real house. When I learned that Omar Faruk's mother lives here, I went to meet her." The actress informed that Omar Faruk's mother was not physically stable due to old age complications, and that she passed away very recently.
Eminent playwright Masum Reza, the writer of the short film, told The Daily Star that it is a matter of pride that it is the first time that any short film has been aired on national television. "The story itself is very heartwarming, and emotional," he shared.
The director shared that despite being its first directorial project, he got all the support from the ministry and he expressed his earnest gratitude towards Salma Rahman Happy, Zilla Parishad Chairperson, Pirojpur and sister of Omar Faruk supported him during the making of this project. She also appeared as a guest in the project.
As per the director's information, after premiering on BTV and BTV world, the short film will be telecast in the channel once again.
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