Two new releases breathe life into the silver screen

After weeks of lull in terms of new releases, movie theatres across the city were set abuzz by two new releases, that too on the same day.

This Friday marked the release of noted television director Chayanika Chowdhury's debut film, "Bishwoshundori" and Ekushey Padak winner Tanvir Mokammel's seventh feature film, "Rupsha Nodir Baanke" (Quiet Flows the River Rupsha).

In any other year, two new films releasing on the same day, that too on a weekend, would draw large crowds. But in 2020, these movies are not only a test of filmmaking alone, but also their ability to get the industry back on the track. 

After remaining closed in the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, several cinema halls have reopened since October 16. However, around two months in, the turnout is still low. But this is expected to change upon the release of these new films.

"Cinema halls are following safety rules and selling only 40 percent tickets of their capacity. I am hoping people will come and see the films on the big screen, following proper safety protocols," Chayanika Chowdhury told The Daily Star. "The audience's involvement and interest will inspire other directors to release their films."

Inside the halls, moviegoers are required to wear protective masks at all times and are seated according to social distance guidelines.

"People are hardly going out these days. I am not sure how many will venture out to come and watch our films. However, we have waited a long time since February," director Tanvir Mokammel had shared in a previous interview with The Daily Star, regarding his expectations about releasing "Rupsha Nodir Baanke" during the pandemic.

When asked, audience members at STAR Cineplex in Bashundhara City shared that they came out to watch Siam Ahmed and Pori Moni starrer "Bishwoshundori".

Multiple shows of "Bishwoshundori" were sold out at STAR Cineplex -- a solid performance, considering the pandemic.

"The turnout for Bishwoshundori has been great so far," shared Star Cineplex's Senior Manager, Media & Marketing, Mesbah Uddin Ahmed.

"However, we are not expecting a high turnout for Rupsha Nodir Baanke, as it is not billed as a commercial film," he told this newspaper.

Similar sentiments were echoed by insiders at Jamuna Future Park's Blockbuster Cinemas.

"The response to Bishwoshundori has been widely positive, with people turning out in satisfactory numbers. However, the same cannot be said about Rupsha Nodir Baanke," shared Shanto, a staff member at Blockbuster Cinemas. "We are expecting more people in the coming days for both the new releases."

With a story, screenplay and dialogues from Rumman Rashid Khan, "Bishwoshundori" is produced by Sun Music and Motion Pictures Limited and distributed by Jaaz Multimedia. It is running at 25 theatres across the country, including STAR Cineplex, Blockbuster Cinema, Shyamoli Cinema, Ananda Cinema Hall, Chitramahal Cinema and Monihar, among others. After months of inactivity, Shyamoli Cinema reopened their gates with this film.

Produced by Kino-eye Films, the government granted film, "Rupsha Nodir Baanke" is running at STAR Cineplex and Blockbuster Cinemas in the capital. It is also being screened at Shahbagh's Public Library Auditorium (3pm, 5:30pm and 8pm), till December 16. The film features Zahid Hossain Shovon, Naziba Basher, Khairul Alam Sabuj, Chitralekha Guha and Ramendu Majumdar in prominent roles.

The premiere of "Rupsha Nodir Baanke" was held at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on December 10. The film will have its world premiere at the 51st Goa International Film Festival, scheduled for January 16-24, 2021.

Several well-known directors and actors conveyed their best wishes to both the films online. Siam Ahmed congratulated the cast and crew of "Rupsha Nodir Baanke" on social media.