"Priyo Maloti", starring Mehazabien Chowdhury, has been officially selected for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), one of Asia's oldest and most prestigious festivals.

Known as "Whispers of a Thirsty River" in English, the film is directed by Shankha Dasgupta and will represent Bangladesh in the Cinema of the World category at IFFI's 55th edition, taking place from November 20 to 28 in Goa, India.

The official selection, confirmed on the festival's website, features 71 films from various countries. Among them, "Priyo Maloti" will be screened at Panjim Auditorium-4 on November 27. 

The film stars Mehazabien Chowdhury in the titular role, with the screenplay crafted by Shankha Dasgupta and Abu Sayeed Rana. Dasgupta also wrote the story and directed the film, marking his debut in feature film direction.

The director views the film's selection at IFFI as a significant milestone. 

He remarked, "IFFI is one of the most prominent festivals in the subcontinent and the largest in India. As neighbouring countries, we share deep cultural and experiential connections. I believe 'Priyo Maloti' can act as a bridge for cultural exchange."

The festival could significantly impact the distribution of the film. Shankha stated, "Numerous influential figures from the subcontinent attend this festival, which may facilitate the international distribution of our film. 'Priyo Maloti' has the potential to create opportunities at this festival that serve the broader interests of cinema."

Mehazabien Chowdhury shared her excitement about the film's selection at such a prestigious festival, stating, "The inclusion of 'Priyo Maloti' at IFFI has been a great source of inspiration for me and our team. We don't create projects with the expectation of festival recognition, but when it happens, it's truly rewarding. While it's exciting that international audiences will see the film, my greatest joy will come when it reaches viewers in our own country."

Alongside Mehazabien, "Priyo Maloti" also features Nader Chowdhury, Azad Abul Kalam, Shahjahan Samrat, and Rizvi Riju in supporting roles.

Although a release date in Bangladesh has yet to be announced, the film's joint producers, Frame Per Second and Chorki, are eager to share it with a local audience.

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Earlier, "Priyo Maloti" was selected to compete in the World Cinema category at the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), which runs from November 13 to November 22 in Cairo.