After much anticipation, Shyam Benegal’s biographical masterpiece, ‘Mujib: The Making of a Nation,’ which encapsulates the remarkable life and political odyssey of Bangladesh’s Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, has finally arrived in 153 cinema halls across the country.
A film enthusiast and host of a popular Bangladeshi TV program on film, Sami Al Mehdi, shared his immense expectations, comparing the film’s significance to the towering mountains that dot the nation’s landscape. This cinematic masterpiece dives deep into the life of a political icon whose persona, philosophy, and existence are intricately woven into the fabric of the country’s national aspirations. Sami Al Mehdi expressed confidence in the talented filmmaker Shyam Benegal’s ability to extract the best performances from the cast. He noted that creating a film centered on a renowned political figure demands multifaceted thinking and a nuanced perspective.Furthermore, Sami emphasized the importance of thorough research and portraying real-life events, history, and dialogues to make the film resonate with all quarters of society. The film’s initial trailer was unveiled in May 2022, and extensive refinements were made to ensure accuracy and perfection, heightening optimism for the final product.
Mujib: The Making of a Nation
Khandkar Rubayat Mursalin, a teacher at Dhaka University, underscored the deep-seated connection between Bangabandhu and the heart of Bangladesh. He believes this biopic will serve as a conduit, conveying this profound connection to the younger generation. Mursalin sees the film as a historical document, poised to disseminate the spirit and ideals of Bangabandhu to the masses, especially the newer generation.
Anik Dhar, the General Secretary of Dhaka University Cultural Society, pointed out that while numerous films have been created about the liberation war in Bangladesh, they have yet to be dedicated to Bangabandhu. With high hopes, he stated that the first film depicting the architect of Bangladesh, ‘Mujib-Ekt Rati Roopkar,’ would stand as the definitive tribute to this extraordinary leader.
Tanmoy Ahmed, a youth leader and coordinator of the Center for Research and Information (CRI), underlined the biopic’s potential to reflect the genuine history of the nation, countering any propaganda efforts by anti-independence factions that aim to sully the legacy of Bangabandhu.
The biopic’s premiere occurred at the Bangladesh Film Archive, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in attendance at a separate screening in Agargaon. Sheikh Hasina anticipated the nation would uncover unknown facets of history through this long-awaited biopic. She recounted attempts to erase Bangabandhu’s name after his tragic assassination in 1975 but affirmed that history is indomitable and immutable.
This Bangladesh-India joint venture, ‘Mujib: The Making of Nation,’ is slated for release in India on October 27 and has already received censor certification in both countries. The film’s initial trailer was unveiled at the 75th Cannes Film Festival in France, and Information Minister Dr. Hasan officially launched the final trailer on October 1. The film also made its mark at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival in Canada on September 14.
The cinematic endeavor features Bangladeshi artist Arifin Shubo as Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Nusrat Imroz Tisha as Sheikh Fazilatun Nesha Mujib, and Nusrat Faria as Sheikh Hasina. Renowned Indian music director Shantanu Maitra composed the film’s music, while a team of skilled writers from Bangladesh crafted Bengali dialogues. The film’s production journey spanned from January to December 2021, with filming conducted in Mumbai, India.
