Traffic 'Jam' inside BFDC

Purnima poses in the midst of shooting. Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

The Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) is renowned for film shoots, ad shoots and so much more. Professionals are busy within the compound running around with props, fixing costumes and looking for the right location for action sequences. However, what if we told you that the people working inside the BFDC, recently, faced a very common issue that every other city dweller faces – traffic jams! The area was filled with various vehicles trying to reach their destination. Of course, this was a part of the latest shooting taking place, of a movie called Jam. This exciting shoot was taking place on the streets behind the famous Jashim Floor – a shooting floor named after the legendary actor.

The scene was a fascinating one! While vehicle owners and drivers should have been irritated at the traffic congestion, they seemed to be smiling and enjoying. This is because a group of transgender people, dressed in vibrant colours, were dancing to a recorded track, led by the lovable actor Purnima. Along with Arifin Shuvoo, Purnima is playing the lead in the movie. “We are trying to give our hundred percent,” exclaimed Purnima. “I really hope the film turns out to be an exciting one!”

The cast and director (centre-right) of 'Jam' share a light moment together. Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

The shooting went on for quite some time. Sushama Sarker, yet another well known actor, was also playing a part in the whole shoot. Arifin Shuvoo, the male lead, was dressed up in wigs and beards, and it would have been impossible to recognise him, if the director of the movie, Noyeem Imtiaz Neamul, had not pointed it out to the journalists and photographers, present at the shoot. “As the name suggests, the story revolves around the traffic congestions that we experience in Dhaka on a regular basis,” said the director.

Shuvoo's unique look was attracting a lot of attention amongst the photographers who wanted to photograph him. However, Shuvoo requested not to do so, since he did not want to reveal his look just as yet.

The movie Jam will be released this year from Kritanjali, a production house by yet another legendary actor, Manna. Shelly Manna, once a popular actor herself, and also the wife of Manna, was seen welcoming the journalists and also taking care of the production necessities.

As the camera continued to roll and the crowd got bigger to watch the fun and colourful ensemble in action, one hoped to experience a happy yet effective storyline, speaking the language of urban Dhaka.