The eighth edition of the London Bengali Film Festival (LBFF) will officially kick off from April 22-27 this year.
These include Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury’s “Boli”, Shankha Dasgupta’s “Priyo Maloti”, Amitabh Reza Chowdhury’s “Rickshaw Girl”, Akram Khan’s “Nokshi Kanthar Zamin”, Nurul Alam Atique’s “Peyarar Subash”, Gias Uddin Selim’s “Kajol Rekha”, Dhrubo Hasan’s “Fatima”, Mishuk Monir’s “Deyaler Desh”, and Raihan Rafi’s “Toofan”.
A defining moment in his decade-long career, Shahjahan Shamrat made an unforgettable impact with his portrayal of Razzak in Shankha Dasgupta’s “Priyo Maloti”. Adding his own charm to the character of an empathetic friend, his on-screen persona brought life to the bond of friendship and communal harmony, making the audience emotional.
The festivities culminated with the highly anticipated screening of Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury's “Boli” (The Wrestler), a celebrated film won an award at the 2023 Busan Film Festival and was Bangladesh’s official submission for the 97th Academy Awards.
Today, faculty members and students from Dhaka International University (DIU) are set to attend a special screening of “Priyo Maloti”, featuring Mehazabien Chowdhury, at Star Cineplex’s SKS Tower in Dhaka. The university has reserved a hall for the 7:45pm show.
Star Cineplex has released a ranking of the most-viewed films in theatres this week, with “Priyo Maloti” leading the list of local releases.
This year, an estimated 50 Bangladeshi films have been released. Among these, only a handful have achieved commercial success. Then again, despite not performing well at the box office, other cinematic aspects like actors, actresses, and film songs have managed to remain at the centre of discussions throughout the year.
Star Cineplex, a leading choice for cinema enthusiasts with refined tastes, has maintained its position as a crowd favourite. While Hollywood films dominated the scene a few years ago, the rising wave of Bangladeshi cinema has gradually shifted the spotlight.
A variety of films have graced the silver screen—some commercially successful, others not quite so. Let’s bid adieu to the year, as we look back at some of its film offerings.
Today, four movies, both local and international, are hitting theatres nationwide. Among the Bangladeshi releases are “Priyo Maloti” and “Makorshar Jall”, while Cineplex audiences can also enjoy the Hollywood titles “Kraven the Hunter” and “Mufasa: The Lion King.”
During the campaign at Dhaka University, Mehazabien actively engaged with students and helped put up posters for the movie. At one point, she accidentally placed a poster over a graffiti mural of Sohagi Jahan Tonu, a Victoria College student and theatre activist who became a rape and murder victim in a 2016 case. The incident was immediately met with backlash from students, who called on Mehazabien to personally remove the poster and apologise for her actions.
"Priyo Maloti", directed by Shankha Dasgupta, is a story deeply rooted in the lives of ordinary people. "It’s our story, the story of our lives. It’s completely original. The audience will get to experience a film with a fresh, authentic narrative," Mehazabien explained. "There is always a demand for good stories, and this film delivers just that."
The film has received a “U” grade censor certificate, deeming it suitable for audiences of all ages. “Priyo Maloti” has already been showcased at the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) and the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), earning official selections and widespread acclaim. Despite its deeply local context, the film’s themes resonate universally, allowing international audiences to connect with its story and characters.
Bangladesh emerged as a sovereign state on December 16, 1971, following a nine-month-long Liberation War. This year, the nation celebrates Victory Day with renewed fervour, especially after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s regime on August 5, 2024.
The film stars Mehazabien Chowdhury in the title role, making her first-ever appearance on the big screen after a 15-year career primarily on television. “Priyo Maloti” is set to hit cinemas on December 20, produced by Frame Per Second in collaboration with streaming platform Chorki.
The film, set for release next week, depicts Maloti’s fight for survival after losing her husband in a fire and failing to receive any government aid. Based on a true story, "Priyo Maloti" delves into the emotional and social struggles of a woman battling grief, poverty, and the system.
Mehazabien Chowdhury is set to make her much-anticipated silver screen debut with “Priyo Maloti”, directed by Shankha Dasgupta. Inspired by true events, the film explores the life of Maloti Rani Das, a woman navigating life’s challenges alongside her husband, Palash Kumar Das.
With "Priyo Maloti" set to debut in cinemas soon, the Bangladesh Film Censor Board has granted it a ‘U’ certificate, ensuring it is suitable for all audiences.
"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.
