Anil Bagchi’r Ekdin, Morshedul Islam’s latest film which is based on a novel by Humayun Ahmed, is set to release today. The film will be screened simultaneously at major cinema halls in the capital including Star Cineplex, Blockbuster Cinemas, Madhumita, Balaka and Shaymoli along with the local ones throughout the country.
Premiered on November 13, the film portrays how a Muslim man risks his own life while trying to save a Hindu lad from being killed by the Pakistani army during the liberation war.
Set is in the middle of 1971 when the Bangladesh liberation war is at full swing, Anil Bagchi, a Hindu who works in an insurance company in Dhaka which is besieged by the occupation army, recieves a letter from the head master of a high school in his native village where he used to study. The letter carried the news of his father’s death at the hands of Pakistani troops.
On the journey back to his village, he is introduced to a middle-aged Ayub Ali and his family members. As expected, the army stops the bus and checks the identity of each passenger. Anil reveals his identity as a Hindu, as Ali risks his own life in a bid to save Anil’s but fails.
Morshedul Islam, who has 12 feature films under his belt since taking the Bangladeshi parallel cinema scene to a different level with a short-film, Aagami in 1984, which is what inspired him to make Anil Bagchi’r Ek Din, carries the message of humanitarian appeal and communal harmony emerging from the story of Anil Bagchi.
Islam added that the fight for liberation of Bangladesh itself is the greatest symbol of secularism and communal amity as Bengalis cutting across religious affiliations were equal victims to the atrocities of the Pakistani army and fought against it in unison. Anil Bagchi’s story is just one of the many examples among.
This is the third feature film which Islam has made based on the work of Humayun Ahmed after Durotto (2004) and Priyotomeshu (2009). Produced under the banner of Bengal Creations Limited, Anil Bagchir Ek Din features Aref Syed in the eponymous role while Gazi Rakayet, Toufique Emon, Jyotika Jyoti and Farhana Mithu play other ones.
The cinematography is by L Apu Rozario, editing by Ratan Paul and music has been composed by Sunny Jubaer with two original songs penned by chief assistant director Pantho Prosad. Islam has also used a part of Rabindranath Tagore’s famous song Aaj Jyotsna Raatey Sabai Gechey Boney in the score.